Thomas Ballard was arrested by detectives at his home following the execution of a search warrant. Ballard’s vehicle, a red 1992 Ford F-150 pick-up truck was also searched by detectives. Investigators seized two personal computers and several cell phones that were alleged to belong to him. He was charged with second-degree distribution of child pornography, third-degree possession of child pornography and fourth-degree tampering with evidence. Mercer County Superior Court Judge Pedro J. Jimenez Jr. set bail at $100,000 and Ballard is currently being held at Atlantic County Jail.

Ballard first came to the attention of law enforcement in 2010 when he was allegedly discovered to be posting a large number of comments on a website that is known to be used by those interested in images of child pornography. In one comment, he posted to users of the website that he “trades privately” – in this context meaning that he trades pornographic images of children through email rather than on the website.

It is alleged that between October 2013 and March 2014, Ballard had been sending child pornography images and videos via email and had distributed more than 3,000 files depicting sexual exploitation of children. Several of the files show prepubescent girls being bound and tortured with knives pointed at them.

Second-degree crimes carry a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years and a criminal fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree crimes carry sentences of 3 to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree crimes can carry prison sentences of to 18 months and fines up to $10,000.

The Division of Criminal Justice Computer Crimes Unit and ICE Homeland Security Investigations coordinated the investigation. They were assisted by the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Egg Harbor Township Police Department.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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