SOMERSET, NJ — A Somerset man and a repeat offender was arraigned on Wednesday for taking more lewd photographs of young girls last year — commonly described as "upskirting" — and having child pornography, said U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
David Chapinski, 45, of Somerset, was charged in a three-count Indictment with attempted production of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
On Aug. 31, 2025, Chapinski was released from custody after completing multiple state sentences for child-exploitation, including creating "upskirting" photographs or videos of minors and possession of child sexual abuse material(CSAM).
Within days of his release, on Sept. 2, 2025, Chapinski tried to film or photograph up the skirt of a 13-year-old, said authorities.
Less than two weeks later, on Sept. 13, 2025, Chapinski surreptitiously recorded up the skirt of a 17-year-old, when a nearby good Samaritan stopped him, said authorities.
Police searched Chapinski’s phone and found hundreds of images of child sexual abuse. More child sexual abuse material was also found in Chapinski's online accounts, according to authorities.
If convicted, and because Chapinski has been previously convicted of offenses, he faces mandatory minimum prison sentences of 35 years’ imprisonment and maximum sentences of life imprisonment on the attempted production counts of the Indictment.
If convicted of the child sexual abuse material possession count, Chapinski faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.
Additionally, each of the offenses carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
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