Ocean County prosecutors said investigators uncovered more than 1,000 files of child sexual abuse material on electronic devices seized from a borough home
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A Point Pleasant Borough man admitted possessing child sexual abuse material after investigators found more than 1,000 illicit files on electronic devices seized from his home, according to Ocean County prosecutors.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that James Vavra, 74, of Point Pleasant Borough, pleaded guilty on June 18 to one count of possession of child sexual abuse material.
Prosecutors said that at Vavra’s sentencing on Aug. 28, the state will seek a 10-year prison term. If sentenced as requested, Vavra would also be subject to Parole Supervision for Life and be required to register as a Megan’s Law offender.
The investigation began after the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that an individual was uploading child sexual abuse material to the internet.
Investigators with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad traced the activity to an IP address associated with a residence in Point Pleasant Borough.
Authorities subsequently identified Vavra as the individual connected to the uploads.
On Oct. 23, 2025, detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Point Pleasant Borough Police Department and the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team executed a court-authorized search warrant at Vavra’s residence.
Several electronic devices were seized during the search.
A forensic examination of those devices led investigators to discover more than 1,000 items of child sexual abuse material, according to prosecutors.
Vavra was arrested and taken to the Point Pleasant Borough Police Department before being transported to the Ocean County Jail. He was later released under New Jersey’s bail reform laws.
Prosecutor Billhimer credited the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Point Pleasant Borough Police Department, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for their work on the investigation.
The guilty plea was entered before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan.
Key Points
- A Point Pleasant Borough man pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material.
- Investigators said more than 1,000 illicit files were discovered on seized electronic devices.
- Prosecutors will seek a 10-year prison sentence at the defendant’s August sentencing.
