A Stewartsville, New Jersey, man faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child and possession of Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM) after an investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies led to his arrest. Joseph Fortugno, 33, caught the attention of authorities after allegedly uploading images featuring a child posing in a sexual way to the internet.

Anyone facing charges like these needs a strong defense. That's precisely what the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team is prepared to offer. Learn more about how we can assist with your case by submitting our contact form or calling us at 888-535-3686.

Law Enforcement Agencies Respond to CSAM Upload Alerts

Law enforcement agencies may receive alerts when someone uploads CSAM or similar illicit materials online. That appears to have occurred in this case.

Per a statement from the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, law enforcement received a notice that someone had uploaded CSAM, triggering an investigation. Detectives eventually linked the uploads to Fortugno's home. Investigators also found evidence indicating Fortugno may have intended to distribute the images to others.

Fortugno now faces third-degree and second-degree charges for endangering the welfare of a child.

Law enforcement agencies take these types of investigations very seriously. Thus, multiple agencies may assist with such cases. Agencies participating in this investigation were the Warren County Prosecutor's Office Cyber Crimes Unit, the Greenwich Township Police Department, the Blairstown Township Department, the New Jersey State Police Polygraph Unit, and even the United States Secret Service.

Potential Implications of the Charges

The penalties Fortugno may face if convicted can be severe. In New Jersey, endangering the welfare of a child is often a second-degree felony. Potential penalties for such a crime include:

• Five to 10 years in prison
• A fine of up to $150,000

Because Fortugno's alleged crime involved CSAM, he may also have to register as a sex offender. The stigma of a conviction combined with sex offender status could affect everything from his personal relationships to his employment opportunities.

Potential Defenses in This Scenario

Every case involving allegations like these is at least somewhat unique. The proper defense strategy for this particular individual may depend on numerous factors.

However, the following are a few common defense strategies that might be effective in these circumstances:

• Even if the individual did possess the materials in question, it may be possible to avoid the harshest potential penalties by showing there's minimal evidence he intended to distribute the images.
• If law enforcement made any errors, it's possible they obtained evidence illegally.
• The individual might show they have an addiction to CSAM due to a mental health or psychological issue. While such a defense may not be enough to prevent a conviction entirely, it could result in more lenient sentencing.
• In some instances, a defense might involve showing how an individual possessed CSAM unknowingly or accidentally.

Again, every case is different. What's most important for anyone facing these types of charges is to begin working on a defense as soon as possible.

The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team offers our clients defense strategies tailored to the specifics of their cases. If you ever get in trouble for allegedly possessing or distributing CSAM or similar materials, we can help. Get started today by calling us at 888-535-3686 or contacting us through our online form.