BRICK TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A Brick Township man has been sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material following an investigation involving an undercover detective and multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Christian Kohl, 48, was sentenced Friday by Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan to five years in New Jersey State Prison, including a five-year period of parole ineligibility.
Judge Ryan also ordered Kohl to comply with the requirements of Megan’s Law and placed him under Parole Supervision for Life. Kohl pleaded guilty to the distribution charge on March 25.
Undercover investigation began after cyber tips
The investigation began after the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating someone was sending and receiving child sexual abuse material online.
Investigators traced an IP address to Kohl’s Brick Township residence, where they determined the illegal activity originated.
Between May and August 2024, an Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office detective conducted an undercover investigation on the Kik Messenger platform while posing as a 14-year-old girl.
According to prosecutors, the user identified himself as a 38-year-old man and continued communicating after being told repeatedly that “she” was only 14 years old.
During those conversations, prosecutors said the suspect “sent numerous inappropriate nude photos and videos of himself to the Detective,” despite multiple reminders that the person he believed he was communicating with was a child.
Investigators later identified the user as Kohl.
Search uncovered child sexual abuse material
On Aug. 15, 2024, detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Brick Township Police Department and the New Jersey State Police ICAC Task Force executed a court-authorized search warrant at Kohl’s residence.
An initial forensic examination of Kohl’s cellphone uncovered several files containing child sexual abuse material, according to prosecutors.
Further investigation revealed Kohl had “sent/shared more than 25 items of Child Pornography to various users utilizing the Kik messenger application,” the prosecutor’s office said.
Kohl was arrested at his home without incident and later released under New Jersey’s bail reform law while the case proceeded through the court system.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer credited Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Shanon Chant-Berry, Assistant Prosecutor Lynn Juan, and the participating local, state and federal agencies for their work on the investigation.
Key Points
- A Brick Township man was sentenced to five years in state prison for distributing child sexual abuse material.
- Prosecutors said he also sent explicit images to an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl.
- The sentence includes Megan’s Law registration, parole supervision for life and five years of parole ineligibility.
FAQ
Who was sentenced?
Christian Kohl, 48, of Brick Township.
What was his sentence?
Five years in New Jersey State Prison with five years of parole ineligibility, Megan’s Law registration and Parole Supervision for Life.
How did the investigation begin?
The New Jersey State Police ICAC Task Force received cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
What did investigators find?
Authorities said they recovered child sexual abuse material from Kohl’s cellphone and determined he shared more than 25 files through Kik Messenger.
Which agencies investigated the case?
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Brick Township Police Department and the New Jersey State Police ICAC Task Force.
Source: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police ICAC Task Force
