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Javish Roman, 21, of Rio Grande, was additionally charged on Thursday, Mar. 21 with manufacturing child pornography, endangering the welfare of a child (possession of child pornography), and endangering the welfare of a child. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a news release.
Roman was arrested on Thursday, Mar. 14. He was previously charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child (distribution of child sexual abuse material) and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child (possession of child sexual abuse material).
An investigation into Roman started after a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He was accused of using a third-party app to distribute pictures and videos of child sexual abuse.
Investigators analyzed seized evidence and said Roman "exchanged video and photographs with an out-of-state juvenile engaging in prohibited sexual acts." Roman was also found with more than 1,000 items of child sexual abuse material.
Roman remains in the Cape May County Correctional Center.
Prosecutors said a first-degree manufacturing of child pornography conviction carries a state prison sentence of 10 to 20 years. Second-degree convictions have a sentence of five to 10 years.
Sutherland also said this investigation is part of the county prosecutor's office's ongoing effort to prosecute people who exploit children or have child pornography. Anyone with information about child exploitation should report it by calling the prosecutor's office at 609-465-1135 or filing anonymous tips online at cmcpo.tips and cmcsheriff.net.
You can also call the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597.
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