Child Pornography Investigation Nets Three Suspects in Cape May County

Three people have been charged in a crackdown on the possession and distribution of child pornogrpahy in Cape May County, Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor said on Monday.

James Tierney, 50, of Wildwood Crest, was charged with third-degree possession of child pornography and second-degree distribution of child pornography.

Images and videos of child pornography were allegedly forensically recovered from the computer used by Tierney. Tierney was processed and lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility on $50,000 full cash bail, pending court.

Patrick Grace, 26, of Erma, was charged with third-degree possession of child pornography and second-degree distribution of child pornography.

Images and videos of child pornography were allegedly forensically recovered from the cellular telephone used by Grace. Grace was processed and released on his own recognizance, pending court.

A 17-year-old juvenile from Rio Grande was charged with third-degree possession of child pornography.

Images and videos of child pornography were allegedly forensically recovered from the cellular telephone and social media accounts used by the teen. This juvenile was processed and released to his parents, pending court.

Authorities executed court authorized search warrants and conducted these arrests between Sept. 25 and Oct. 29 in Cape May County, as part of an ongoing investigation.

In addition to the arrests, computers, cellular phones, and other electronic devices were seized.

The investigation is being conducted by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office - High Technology Crimes Unit, the Lower Township Police Department, the Middle Township Police Department, the Wildwood Crest Police Department, New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

Anyone convicted of a second-degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Anyone convicted of a third-degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison.

Taylor urges anyone who has information concerning child pornography to report it anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on the anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime-Stoppers at 609-465-2800 or 877-465-2801, as well as the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1168.