Mercer County officials reported today that an investigation into online child exploitation has resulted in the arrest of a Lawrence Township man.
According to authorities, police charged Mr. Kelly Skeel, 45, of Lawrence with second-degree possession of Explicit Images of Minors.
The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Skeel pending trial.
Detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit recently received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual in Mercer County was uploading child pornography.
An investigation was initiated and Skeel was identified as a subject.
On Tuesday, January 25, detectives with ICAC executed a search warrant at Skeel’s residence in Lawrence.
He was detained without incident and several electronics were seized.
Forensic previews conducted on multiple DVDs at the home along with further investigation revealed thousands of images and videos of child pornography and erotica.
Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Prosecutor Onofri urged anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or Deputy Chief of County Detectives sexual abuse of children to please contact his Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at 609-989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at 888-648-6007.