CAMDEN, N.J. – A Salem County, New Jersey, man today admitted possessing images of child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Rickie Wayne Patton, 40, of Pennsville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of possession of child pornography.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 10, 2020, a Task Force Officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force identified an IP Address that was sharing suspected child sexual abuse materials over a peer-to-peer file sharing network. From Feb. 10, 2020, to March 15, 2020, the officer downloaded several video files containing images of child sexual abuse from a computer at the same IP Address. The IP Address was then traced to Patton’s residence, where the FBI executed a search warrant on May 19, 2020. The FBI found laptop computers and digital storage media belonging to Patton. Forensic examination later confirmed those devices contained images of child sexual abuse.
The count of possession of child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for April 18, 2022.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers of the FBI, Philadelphia Division, Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. She also thanked the Pennsville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Vincent Green, and the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Kristin J. Telsey, for their assistance in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Johns of the Criminal Division in Camden.
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