By: Richard L. Smith
An active-duty Airman assigned to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst has admitted to receiving explicit images of minors, federal authorities announced.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Christian Keilberg, 34, of Ocean County, pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to one count of receipt of explicit images of minors. Sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026.
Prosecutors said that between November 2020 and November 2022, while serving as an enlisted member of the United States Air Force and residing in on-base housing, Keilberg used online chat platforms and social media to communicate with minors both inside and outside New Jersey.
Authorities said he engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the minors and requested images and videos depicting sexually explicit conduct.
Court documents indicate the minors complied with those requests.
During a subsequent search of Keilberg’s electronic devices at his on-base residence, investigators uncovered additional files containing explicit images of minors' material.
Officials stated that more than 600 images were recovered, including content involving minors between the ages of 12 and 15.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum potential sentence of 20 years, along with a possible $250,000 fine.
Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello credited special agents of the United States Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Rebecca B. Bates, for leading the investigation. The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office also assisted in the case.