West Orange Man Charged With Distributing Child Pornography

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A West Orange man employed as a food services worker at a high school in East Hanover has been accused of distributing images of child sexual abuse, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

Ezra W. Saphire, 29, of West Orange, was charged with one count of distribution of child pornography. He was released on home confinement with electronic monitoring after an initial court appearance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors released the following statement about the allegations against Saphire:

“Saphire was employed as a food services contractor at a high school in East Hanover. From June 9, 2021, through Jan. 22, 2022, law enforcement conducted undercover online sessions using a publicly-available peer-to-peer (P2P) software application program, a method of communication available to internet users through the use of special software that allows users to trade digital files through a worldwide network that is formed by linking computers together. Law enforcement officers used P2P software to download 1,014 video files and 659 image files containing images of child sexual abuse through the IP address associated with Saphire’s residence. These files included multiple visual depictions of pre-pubescent children being sexually abused by adults.”

The count of distributing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison and a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the offense, prosecutors said.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger thanked the West Orange Police Department and the East Hanover Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.

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