The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau worked collaboratively with the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and First Circuit Solicitor’s Office in South Carolina in an investigation that led to charges in both states.

Shawn Patrick Rose, Jr., 20, of Woodbine, N.J., was arrested this morning by detectives of the Division of Criminal Justice, who executed a search warrant at Rose’s home, with assistance from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office. Investigators allegedly found numerous files of child pornography during a preliminary examination of computers seized in the home. Seized computers and electronic devices were taken to the Division of Criminal Justice Computer Forensic Laboratory for a full forensic examination. Rose was lodged in the Cape May County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Rose was charged in New Jersey with third-degree possession of child pornography. In South Carolina, he faces two counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor filed by the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office in relation to the 13-year-old girl.

“The allegations in this multi-state investigation indicate that, in addition to uploading child pornography, Rose allegedly targeted underage girls on social media sites, engaging in sexual chats and manipulating a victim in South Carolina into providing him with sexually explicit images of herself,” said Attorney General Porrino. “Rose is a dangerous predator who now faces charges in two states.”

“Because of the global nature of the internet, alleged online predators like Rose typically don’t confine their criminal conduct to one state,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Fortunately, law enforcement agencies are collaborating effectively across state lines to ensure these offenders face justice for all of their crimes, as exemplified in this case.”

The investigation began when the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which had received a referral from an online file hosting service about an account holder who was uploading child pornography. Detectives of the Division of Criminal Justice reviewed several of the files uploaded by the account holder and confirmed they were videos of child pornography, including a video of a prepubescent girl being raped by an adult male.

Through further investigation, the detectives linked the account to email and IP addresses that were traced to Rose and his residence in Woodbine. In addition, the detectives obtained records associated with the email account and a social media site revealing that Rose allegedly had engaged in sexually explicit chats with suspected minors. The detectives contacted authorities in South Carolina regarding one of the suspected minors, whom Rose allegedly directed to engage in sexual acts during a video chat, and from whom Rose allegedly obtained sexually explicit images. The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and First Circuit Solicitor’s Office were able to identify the 13-year-old and develop further evidence leading to the charges in South Carolina.

Deputy Attorney General Joseph Remy is assigned to prosecute the case, and Detectives Charles Pusloski and Scott Donlan were the lead detectives for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau. They coordinated and conducted the investigation under the supervision of Lt. Jon Powers, Deputy Bureau Chief Julia Glass and Bureau Chief Michael Monahan. Attorney General Porrino thanked the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office and Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina for their investigation and cooperation. He also thanked the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office for its assistance.

With respect to the New Jersey charge, third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. The charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Attorney General Porrino and Director Honig urged anyone who suspects improper contact by persons communicating with children on the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to contact the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tipline at 888-648-6007.

Defense Attorney: Undetermined.

Follow the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office online at Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & YouTube. The social media links provided are for reference only. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.

####