Paterson Man Charged With Federal Child Pornography Offenses

Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 5:40 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

NEWARK, NJ.- On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba reported that a 25-year-old Paterson, New Jersey, man was taken into custody and charged for allegedly distributing and possessing digital images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children that he shared on multiple social media messaging applications.

     Dwayne Smalls, 25, of Paterson, New Jersey, was charged by a federal complaint with one count of Distribution of Child Pornography; and one count of Possession of Child Pornography. Smalls made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Federal Court in Newark, New Jersey, and was arraigned on the charges.

According To The Charging Information Filed In The Complaint

     According to the charging information filed in the criminal complaint, it is alleged that Smalls posted messages on certain messaging applications advertising digital images and video files of child pornography, including many involving prepubescent children. Specifically, he represented that he could provide the digital images and video files of child pornography for a fee.

     During the investigation and after being identified, Federal Agents obtained and executed a court-authorized search of Smalls’ Paterson, New Jersey, residence and his cellular phone. During the search, Federal Agents uncovered that between August 2023 and October 2023, Smalls distributed child pornography on multiple occasions. Federal Agents also found around eleven unique video files containing child pornography stored on his cellular phone.

     If convicted at trial, Smalls faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for the distribution of child pornography. On the charge of possession of child pornography, Smalls faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Upon a finding of guilt, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offenses and Smalls’ prior criminal history, if any.

     In addition to any term of imprisonment imposed, Smalls would also be subject to at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, be required to pay restitution to any of his identified victims and be required to register as a sex offender in the national database.

“The rules of the federal 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.”