2 Manchester Men Among 79 In Child Porn Sweep: AG

MANCHESTER, NJ — Two Manchester Township men are among 79 people arrested in a massive child pornography sweep, the New Jersey state attorney general's office announced Friday.

Jason Locke, 42, and James Gilbertson, 60, both were charged with possession of child pornography as part of Operation Safety Net, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino said in a news release.

Gilbertson is retired, according to his Facebook profile. Information on Locke's occupation was not available.

Operation Safety Net was a nine-month, multi-agency child protection initiative that targeted sex offenders who exploited the internet and social media, Porrino said. Arrests were made in every New Jersey county.

Porrino said of the 66 defendants charged with possession of child pornography, 25 are charged with possession of 100 or more items and are subject to a presumption of imprisonment under that law, even if they have no prior criminal record. The news release did not say how many images either Locke or Gilbertson had in their possession.

Jason Locke, James Gilbertson photos via N.J. State Attorney General's Office