Bergen County Man Arrested, Charged With Distributing Sexually Explicit Images Of Children

NEWARK, N.J. – Federal agents arrested a Bergen County, New Jersey, man this morning on a charge that he distributed sexually explicit images of children from his home computer, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Robert Miller, 65, of Hackensack, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of distributing images of child pornography over the Internet. He appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and was remanded without bail.

According to the criminal complaint unsealed today:

From April 30, 2014, to May 7, 2014, Miller distributed videos depicting child sexual abuse on the Internet via a peer-to-peer file-sharing program, which allowed others access to the material. An undercover agent discovered and downloaded the videos, and the username and IP address of the distributor were traced back to Miller’s residence.

On July 30, 2014, special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at Miller’s residence and seized his computer and related electronic devices, which allegedly contained the peer-to-peer program as well as multiple videos and/or images of child sexual abuse.

The distribution count with which Miller is charged carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of ICE-HSI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Andrew M. McLees in Newark; the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John Molinelli; and the Hackensack Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Mike Mordaga, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry A. Kamar of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

14-275                                                    

Defense counsel: Linda Foster Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

Miller, Robert Complaint