Franklin Township Man Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography
Thursday, March 20, 2025, 7:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ.- A 34-year-old Franklin Township, New Jersey man remains free pending trial after being charged on Friday, March 7, 2025, for allegedly possessing digital images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.
According to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force contacted Detectives of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office after the State Police received multiple CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding an individual who was utilizing the internet to view and possess video files depicting child pornography.
During an ensuing investigation, Detectives of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit were able to trace an IP address to a Franklin Township, New Jersey residence and identified Jared Kelly, 34, as being associated with the address and the individual who was allegedly accessing child pornography over the internet.
Detectives Execute Search Warrant
Following Kelly’s identification, on Friday, March 7, 2025, Detectives of the Somerset County Special Investigations Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department, with assistance from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, executed a court-authorized search warrant at Kelly’s Franklin Township home.
During the search, Detectives seized multiple electronic devices belonging to Kelly. An initial forensic examination of the devices uncovered around 300 video files depicting the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.
Accordingly, following the search, Kelly was taken into custody without incident and formally charged with second-degree Possession of Child Pornography. Kelly was processed on the charge and was remanded to the Somerset County Jail. Following his initial court appearance Kelly was released on bail monitoring conditions pending future court proceedings in Somerset County Superior Court in Somerville, New Jersey.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
