Crime & Safety
Westfield Man Charged With Child Porn Possession
During a search of Matthew T. Williams' Westfield home, authorities said they found software open on a computer downloading child porn.
WESTFIELD, NJ —A Westfield man was arrested for having child pornography videos, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Thursday.
Matthew T. Williams, 43, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography.
From February to November, Williams had videos depicting child sexual abuse on devices in his home, which he made available for distribution through a peer-to-peer file-sharing service, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.
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During a search of Williams' home on the morning of Nov. 1 authorities found software open on a computer downloading child pornography, said Sellinger.
Williams had previously been convicted of sexual misconduct in New York.
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He made his initial appearance before Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court on Nov. 1, and was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.
Williams could face a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 or the gross pecuniary harm to victims of the offense on the charge of possession of child exploitation material.
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