A 23-year-old woman from North Bergen, New Jersey has been charged with distribution of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, according to an announcement Friday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
Natasha Rivas appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court after being charged by criminal complaint. The charge stems from an investigation initiated after the January 2025 arrest of another individual found in possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Federal court documents allege that Rivas exchanged messages with the arrested individual, during which she distributed CSAM and discussed the sexual abuse of children for shared gratification. Authorities say the material she distributed included images of a prepubescent child taken while Rivas was at a hotel in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, in July 2024.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, as well as a potential fine of up to $250,000.
FBI child exploitation units credited in investigation
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit. U.S. Attorney Alina Habba also acknowledged the work of the FBI Newark’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly.
Further details regarding the identity of the individual originally arrested or the minor involved have not been disclosed by prosecutors. Law enforcement has not indicated whether additional charges or defendants are anticipated.
Rivas remains in federal custody pending further court proceedings. The complaint remains subject to the formal process of indictment, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Federal authorities allege that Rivas directly distributed child abuse images and engaged in explicit discussions about harming minors.
A New Jersey woman now faces a federal prison term after allegedly distributing images of child sexual abuse from a hotel room.
