Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of Mr. Nicholas A. Bencze, on the charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Possession of Child Pornography, and Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances.
Authoritities said the arrest is the result of an investigation led by members of the Bergen County Prosecutors Office Cyber Crimes Unit and the Maywood Police Department.
According to police on Friday, September 8th, detectives executed a search warrant at the home of Mr. Bencze in connection with an investigation relating to images of child pornography on the internet and the trafficking of controlled substances on the Dark Web (or Darknet).
The investigation revealed that Mr. Bencze utilized the internet and/or the Darknet to access, view, and download sexually explicit files depicting prepubescent children.
In addition, the investigation revealed that Mr. Bencze utilized the Darknet and Bitcoin currency to acquire quantities of controlled dangerous substances, including steroids.
As a result, police arrested Mr. Bencze on September 8th and charged him with one count each of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, to wit: Possession of Child Pornography, and Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances.
Mr. Bencze is married authorities said.
Bencze was remanded to the Bergen County Jail, pending a first appearance in the Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court on Wednesday, September
Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecutor Grewal would like to thank the Maywood Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.