FRANKLIN, NJ – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger today announced the arrest of Gaetano Lapegna, 64, for distributing child [censored]ography. Lapegna is charged with one count of distribution of child [censored]ography 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 [censored]ography 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.