Man Sentenced to 8 Yrs NJSP for Maintaining Peer-to-Peer CSAM Network

Published on June 03, 2024

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Washington Township Police Chief Jeffrey Almer announce the sentencing of John Green, age 66, of Washington Township in connection with the distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) via a peer-to-peer file-sharing network.

On January 26, 2024, Green entered a guilty plea to third degree Possession of Child Abuse Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).  On May 31, 2024, the Honorable Ralph Amirata, J.S.C. imposed a sentence of eight (8) years in New Jersey State Prison, Megan’s Law, and Parole Supervision for Life.

The charges stem from an investigation that revealed Green maintained a peer-to-peer file-sharing program that distributed CSAM. The investigation began when the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit identified possible CSAM on a BitTorrent site in Morris County.  BitTorrent is a Peer-to-Peer file sharing network.  The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office referred this information to the Morris County Prosecutor’s ICAC Task Force of the Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit.  

Further investigation revealed numerous media files, each depicting the alleged sexual exploitation or abuse of a minor, stored on the BitTorrent site. The investigation further revealed that these files were accessible for download. It is alleged the BitTorrent was associated with the defendant’s residence, where he lives alone. A search of defendant’s electronic devices revealed additional items of suspected CSAM on his computer. An initial review revealed in excess of 1,000 items of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

Defendant was arrested on the above charges on June 2, 2023, and detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility, pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act.

Prosecutor Carroll would like to acknowledge the Hunterdon and Warren County Prosecutor’s Offices, the New Jersey State Police, Washington Township Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their efforts in this investigation.

Media inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at [email protected].