By: Jeff Sommes
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald reported the arrest of Joseph Vega Ramirez, 23, of Raritan, in relation to the possession of Explicit Images of Minors.
Prosecutor McDonald said in a press release that the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force notified the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office of a Cyber Tipline Report provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning the upload of several files depicting the sexual abuse and/or exploitation of a minor via a messaging application.
Upon receiving this Cyber Tipline Report, an investigation was initiated by the detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit began an investigation.
The investigation led to the identification of Joseh Vega Ramirez as the suspect who possessed and distributed files depicting the sexual abuse and/or exploitation of a minor.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Tuesday, May 13, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, along with members of the Raritan Borough Police Department and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, executed a Superior Court search warrant at Vega Ramirez’s residence in Raritan, New Jersey.
As a result of the search warrant, electronic devices were seized for further forensic analysis.
Also, as a result of this search, approximately thirty-four grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms and thirty-five suspected Ecstasy (MDMA) pills were also seized from the residence.
On Tuesday, May 13, officials said Joseph Vega Ramirez was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ramirez was charged with 2nd degree Possession of Explicit Images of Minors, 3rd degree Possession of CDS (Psilocybin Mushrooms), and 3rd degree Possession of CDS (Ecstasy (MDMA)).
Officials said Ramirez was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing on this matter.
Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, Sheriff Russo, and Chief Fisher request that anyone with information relating to this investigation contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit at (908) 231-7100.