HILLSBOROUGH TWP., N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Hillsborough Township Chief of Police Michael McMahon announced the arrest of Siddh B. Shah, age 18, of Winding Way, Hillsborough, New Jersey.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) notified the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office of an apparent upload of images of child pornography. An investigation was thereafter initiated by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations/Computer Crimes Unit. The investigation revealed that defendant Shah was suspected of uploading numerous sexually explicit images/videos of children under the age of 18.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on September 30, 2021, at approximately 6:30 am, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Detectives, along with members of the Hillsborough Township Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant at defendant Shah’s residence.
As a result of the search, electronic devices including computers were seized for further computer forensic examination. An initial forensic examination of these devices revealed in excess of 200 images depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child. Additionally, the investigation revealed that the defendant was offering files of sexual exploitation of children for sale via social media applications.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that as a result of this investigation, on September 30, 2021 defendant Shah was arrested without incident at his residence and he was charged with 1st degree Possession of Child Pornography with Intent to Distribute and 3rd Degree Possession of Child Pornography. Defendant Shah was lodged in the Somerset County Jail where he will remain pending a detention hearing in this matter.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Chief McMahon request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Special Investigations Unit/Computer Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at (908) 369-4323 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.