MAPLE SHADE, N.J. — A Maple Shade man has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes involving child sexual abuse material and animal cruelty, Burlington County authorities announced.
Hunter Roy, 26, was taken into custody Wednesday and is being held at the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court. The charges include distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), attempting to distribute CSAM, and engaging in sexual communication with a minor.
Additional charges include narcotics possession and debauching the morals of a child.
The investigation began after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children flagged Roy’s online activity to law enforcement. Authorities say the probe revealed Roy had distributed more than 9,000 digital files depicting child sexual exploitation. Investigators also allege he was in sexual communication with an underage boy and sent the minor CSAM files.
During a court-authorized search of Roy’s residence, multiple electronic devices were seized by members of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit. Those devices are now undergoing forensic analysis as the case is prepared for a potential grand jury indictment.
In addition to the CSAM offenses, Roy was charged with animal cruelty after investigators say he recorded himself performing sex acts with a Rottweiler and another smaller dog, then exchanged those videos online for other bestiality content.
Federal and local agencies assisted in arrest
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the case is being led by Detective Tiffany Lenart of the BCPO, with support from the Maple Shade Police Department, Union Beach Borough Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations in Cherry Hill.
The prosecutor’s office said, “The investigation further revealed that Roy made recordings of himself engaging in sexual acts with a Rottweiler and another smaller dog.”
Roy will be prosecuted by the BCPO Special Victims Unit. The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office is a member of the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Authorities say additional charges may be filed based on the results of the digital forensic analysis.