By: Yuritza Arroyo
Morris County authorities announced the arrest of a Roxbury Township man in connection with the distribution and possession of explicit videos of minors.
According to officials, James T. Hess, 49, of Roxbury Township, has been charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Distribution of under the age Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)), a second-degree offense, and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Possession of CSAM), a third-degree crime.
Officials say the investigation began with a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) referencing the upload of video files depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of minors.
The video files were uploaded to Kik by Hess, who is also alleged to have viewed CSAM on Kik.
According to authorities, Hess allegedly uploaded CSAM while at the Netcong Volunteer Fire Department, where he is a captain.
It is further alleged that Hess possessed additional images of CSAM on an electronic device.
Authorities say Hess works for the New Jersey Fireman’s Home.
Hess was arrested on the above charges on December 21.
Following his arrest, he was released pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act with pretrial release conditions that included monitoring and limited internet usage.