By: Richard L. Smith
A Barnegat man has been sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison after admitting to distributing more than 1,000 files containing explicit images of minors through an online messaging platform.
According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Fabian Lugo-Sanchez, 29, received the sentence on October 30, 2026, before Superior Court Judge Matthew R. Sage.
Authorities said an investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad traced online activity involving the sharing of illegal material to an internet address associated with a residence in Barnegat Township.
Investigators identified Lugo-Sanchez as the individual responsible for using the Kik messaging application to distribute the material. A review of his accounts revealed that more than 1,000 files had been shared, prosecutors said.
Lugo-Sanchez surrendered to Barnegat Township police on February 5, 2026, accompanied by his attorney. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail before being released under New Jersey’s bail reform procedures.
He pleaded guilty on June 15, 2026.
In addition to the prison sentence, Lugo-Sanchez will be subject to Megan’s Law registration requirements and parole supervision for life.
The sentence also includes a 10-year period before parole eligibility.