Monmouth County Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Pornography

A Colts Neck man admitted in federal court he possessed explicit images of a 12-year-old girl with whom he had an online relationship, authorities said.

Chad Weber, 22, entered the guilty plea Monday before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton to one count of possessing images of child pornography, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney in Newark, Paul J. Fishman.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

In April 2013, authorities learned Weber had been communicating online with a 12-year-old Pennsylvania girl since February of that year.

Federal agents obtained copies of internet-based messages, including chat logs, and many of those communications were sexually explicit.

Weber and the girl also traded explicit photographs of each other, and in some of their online communication, the defendant acknowledged that the victim was 12-years-old.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Weber must forfeit the computer and cell phone he used to commit the crime. He will be required to register as a sex offender.

He faces up to 10 years in prison at sentencing, which is scheduled for June 22.

Fishman credited special agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their work on the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Lorber handled the prosecution. The defendant was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Brian P. Reilly.