Cape May Co. Man Found With 1,000+ Child Porn Images: Prosecutor

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ — Two men were charged after a child pornography bust turned up a large quantity of marijuana and cash, the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office said.

Ronald Curll, 63, and Shawn Gaston, 20, both of Cape May Court House, were charged after an investigation lead to a search warrant being executed on their residence, Acting Cape May County Prosecutor Saverio Carroccia and Middle Township Police Chief Chris Leusner said.

A CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said that someone unknown had and distributed child pornography videos online, authorities said.

A court-authorized search warrant was executed on July 15 at a residence on Mechanic Street following this tip by members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, New Jersey State Police (ICAC), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Middle Township Police Department, Carroccia and Leusner said.

Multiple computers and mobile devices were seized as evidence, Carroccia and Leusner said. Curll, the suspect, was not at the residence at the time, authorities said.

Authorities located Curll in Rio Grande on July 18. After further investigation, Curll was charged with possession of child pornography (a second degree crime) and distribution of child pornography (a first degree crime). Curll possessed and distributed more than 1,000 images, authorities said. He now sits in Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court hearings, authorities said.

During the search, authorities also found about 21 ounces of marijuana and about $4,000 in cash. Gaston was charged with possession of marijuana (a fourth degree crime) and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute (a third degree crime). Gaston was processed and released on a summons pending court proceedings.

Carroccia recognized Homeland Security Investigations (Atlantic City-Division), and the New Jersey State Police, ICAC Task Force, for their assistance in this investigation.

Carroccia advised that individuals charged with a second-degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison, and individuals charged with a first-degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of ten to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison.

This investigation is part of the ongoing effort by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the
ICAC Task Force, to identify those involved in the child pornography trade. Carroccia continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding child exploitation or any criminal activity within the community and that information can be reported anonymously to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135, or on the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office website at cmcpo.tips or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597.