FRANKLIN, NJ – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger today announced the arrest of Gaetano Lapegna, 64, for distributing child pornography. Lapegna is charged with one count of distribution of child pornography and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
From December 2022 to March 2023, Lapegna allegedly distributed videos and images of child sexual abuse through a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing program.
Law enforcement officers conducted online sessions and traced the IP address to Lapegna’s residence. A search of his home resulted in the recovery of videos and images of child sexual abuse on his thumb drive. The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Division, and assisted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.