Peapack Man Charged With Distribution & Possession Of Child Pornography
Sunday, September 7, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
SOMERVILLE, NJ.- Late last month, following an investigation, a 35-year-old Peapack Borough, New Jersey, man, employed as an elementary school teacher in the Branchburg, New Jersey, school district, was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with allegedly distributing and possessing digital images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of a child.
According to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force contacted the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office after receiving a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding an individual in the Somerset County, New Jersey, area who was utilizing a Social Media and Instant Messaging application to upload and share media files containing child pornography.
CyberTip Leads To Elementary School Teacher Being Idetified
Following receiving the CyberTip, Detectives of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit launched an investigation. During the course of the investigation, Detectives were able to identify an IP address and the individual associated with the IP address as Kenneth Vaughn, 35, of Peapack, New Jersey.
On August 26, 2025, Vaughn Is Taken Into Custody
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Detectives of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and the Somerville Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence where Vaughn was located and on his motor vehicle. During the search, Detectives seized multiple electronic devices, and an initial forensic examination of the devices uncovered media files containing child pornography. At that time, Vaughn was taken into custody and formally charged with second-degree Distribution of Child Pornography; and third-degree Possession of Child Pornography.
After being processed on the charges, Vaughn was remanded to the Somerset County Jail. Following his first appearance and detention hearing, a Somerset County Superior Court Judge released Vaughn on monitoring conditions pending future court proceedings.
During further investigation, Detectives determined that at the time of the alleged offenses, Vaughn was employed as an elementary school teacher in Branchburg, New Jersey. It is unclear if Vaughn, after being charged, has been suspended from his teaching position.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation or other similar activities involving Vaughn is urged to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Somerville Police Department at (908) 725-0331. All calls and information will be kept confidential.
“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.”
