Howell Man Charged In Child Porn Sweep, Released By Judge

HOWELL, NJ - A Howell resident charged with possession of child pornography was released from jail Friday following a videoconference hearing before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon.

Thomas Vilanova, 49, was charged with one count of third degree endangering the welfare of a child (possession of child sexual abuse material) on Oct. 13 while on probation for an earlier child pornography charge.

Vilanova was one of over a dozen Monmouth County men charged in a monthslong investigation targeting individuals seeking and distributing child sexual abuse material. Read more: 2 Howell Men, 13 Others Arrested In Countywide Child Porn Bust

Per the Asbury Park Press, Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Stephanie Dugan said that probation officers who monitored Vilanova's internet use as a condition of his probation discovered the images of child sexual abuse.

Separately, Vilanova was the treasurer of the Howell Girls Softball League from 2012 to 2016. He was charged with third-degree theft in 2016 after allegedly embezzling $40,000 from the league.

On Oct. 22, Escandon ordered Vilanova’s from pre-trial detention on the charge. However, the Howell man was also found in violation of his probation from the earlier possession charge, which was slated to keep him in Monmouth County Jail, according to the Press.

Escandon agreed to free Vilanova, a father of three, with restrictions on both his internet use and unsupervised contact with anyone under 18 except for his daughter.

Due to the repeated nature of the offense, Vilanova may face five to 10 years in prison, according to the Press. His next hearing is set for a December date.

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