German national traveled to New Jersey to have encounter with minor

by
March 24, 2023
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NEWARK, NJ – A German national was arrested in New Jersey after he traveled to the United States to engage with a minor. At least, that’s what he thought.

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today that Christian Stefan Walther, a 38-year-old man from Erfurt, Germany, has been charged with traveling to New Jersey for the purpose of engaging in indecent conduct with a minor.

When Walther went to meet with a child for an encounter, he was instead met by federal agents.

Walther had been communicating with undercover officers about his desire for indecent encounters with young children and had sent explicit videos of child assault.

He traveled from Germany to New Jersey on March 23, 2023, to meet the undercover officers in advance of what he believed would be a deviant encounter with one or more children at a hotel.

The charge of interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital news organization covering New Jersey, national politics, public policy, public safety, and community affairs. With years of experience reporting on local government, elections, law enforcement, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey, Stilton has built a reputation for delivering timely news, in-depth reporting, and accountability journalism.

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