Police handcuffs and criminal fingerprints card
Police handcuffs and criminal fingerprints card

New Jersey police officer pleads guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material

by
June 17, 2025

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — A suspended Dover police officer has pled guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll and Chief of Detectives Robert McNally.

Anthony Kelly, 37, of Ledgewood, entered his guilty plea on Monday before Judge Ralph Amirata. Kelly admitted to one count of second-degree distribution of CSAM, which carries a recommended seven-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison.

The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) submitted six CyberTips to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The tips detailed that over 100 pieces of CSAM were distributed through a Kik instant messaging account between July and October 2024.

Investigators traced the Kik account back to Kelly using subscriber information. He was formally charged on November 26.

Officer faces sentencing next month

Kelly, who remains suspended from the Dover Police Department without pay, is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Amirata on July 18.

Upon his release, Kelly will be required to register under Megan’s Law and will be subject to Parole Supervision for Life.

Prosecutor Carroll acknowledged the work of Detective Danny Witek of the ICAC Task Force for his role in securing the guilty plea.

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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