In September of 2024, the Secaucus Police Department began to investigate a tip that several images/videos depicting child sexual abuse material were uploaded to Snapchat, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Telegram messaging apps. The videos were uploaded by a resident of Harmon Cove Towers in Secaucus.
The investigation revealed that a 15-year-old male of Secaucus possessed over 900 images/videos depicting child sexual abuse material. The investigation was spearheaded by Detective Kristen Bronowich and it was discovered that that 15-year-old male was actively “trading” these images/videos depicting child sexual abuse material with other people. Some of these images/videos depicted preschool, grade school and teenage children. At this time it is unknown if any of the children depicted in these images/videos are known to the 15-year-old male.
The investigation culminated in the execution of a search warrant at the male’s Harmon Cove Towers residence on October 9, 2024. Members of the Secaucus Police Detective Division were assisted by the New Jersey State Police I.C.A.C. Unit and Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit. During the search, an electronic device was seized.
The 15-year-old male of Secaucus was arrested and charged as a juvenile with two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child [2C:24-4B(5)(a)(i)] and [2C:24-4B(5)(b)(iii)]. He was also charged with two counts of Invasion of Privacy [2C:14-9(b)] and [2C:14-9(c)], for an unrelated incident where he took and disseminated a photo of a female who was known to him at the time, exposing her intimate parts, without her consent. Pursuant to Juvenile Justice Reform, he was lodged at Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may follow. These charges are merely accusations and the juvenile is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“This child predator was not only viewing these images/videos, he was trading them with other people, thereby victimizing the children depicted in them over and over again,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “I said it before and I will say it again, the Secaucus Police Department will continue to hunt child predators, regardless of their age, and bring them to justice. I am extremely proud of my detectives’ ongoing commitment to prevent children from being exploited.”
