Middlesex County officials reported today that an investigation into online child exploitation has resulted in the arrest of a Monroe Township man.
According to officials, Jose Sanchez, 58, of Monroe, NJ, is charged with explicit images of minors.
The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Sanchez pending trial.
Officials say in September, detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received information from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office that an individual in Mercer County was uploading explicit images of minors.
An investigation was initiated, and on October 7, detectives with ICAC executed a search warrant at a residence in West Windsor.
It was determined that Sanchez, a music instructor who provides lessons to children from a private studio in West Windsor, was viewing and sharing explicit images of minors. Sanchez was arrested without incident, and his electronic devices were seized for forensic examination.
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 sexual abuse to please get in touch with 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.