4 Charged In Ocean City 'Blank Space' Child Abuse Operation: Prosecutor

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Four people involved with child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) were charged as part of the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office's "Blank Space" operation, officials announced.

Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Ocean City Chief William Campbell said Wednesday that the two-day operation in Ocean City was a coordinated effort to combat child sexual exploitation completed by several agencies.

This complicated and intensive investigation required the collaboration of the prosecutor's office, Ocean City police, the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and other local and state agencies to identify and target individuals engaged in the exploitation of children.

The operation employed a multifaceted approach, leveraging advanced technology, forensic analysis, and undercover techniques to apprehend those involved in child sex exploitation networks that create and distribute CSAM. Investigators worked tirelessly to ascertain the identities of individuals exploiting children through online platforms, grooming them for illicit activities and sharing harmful CSAM content, Sutherland and Campbell said.

As a result, four people were charged, two residential search warrants were executed, and the seizure of substantial evidence, including electronic devices, officials.

The following are those charged in this operation:

William B. Peraria (66-years-old), 1200 block of Massachusetts Avenue, Somers Point, NJ

• Attempted sexual assault (2nd Degree)
• Endangering the welfare of a child (3rd Degree)
• Attempted obscenity (4th Degree)

Jeffrey K. Dragon (37-years-old), 400 block Poinsette Avenue, Pitman, NJ

• • Endangering the welfare of a child (2nd Degree)
• • Attempted sexual assault (2nd Degree)
• • Attempted luring (3rd Degree)
• • Attempted obscenity (3rd Degree)

Marc Anthony Carroll (34-years-old), 2100 block of Hamilton Drive, Vorhees, NJ

• Attempted luring (2nd Degree)
• Endangering the welfare of a child (3rd Degree)
• Attempted criminal sexual contact (4th Degree)

Kristofer Laud (38-years-old), 1500 block of Weatherby Road, Woodbine, NJ

• Endangering the welfare of a child (3rd Degree)

“As technology advances, so do the illicit activities of those among us who exploit children to satisfy their own depraved sexual needs and for economic gain,” Sutherland said. “Always be cognizant about what you share and what your children are doing on electronic devices and on the various social media platforms.”

As part of ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation, law enforcement agencies urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving the exploitation of children. By working together, we can create a safer environment for all children to grow and thrive. Sutherland also continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding illegal drug activity or any criminal activity within the community, and that information can be reported to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135 or anonymously on the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office website at cmcpo.tips or through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or to the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889- 3597.