Former Teacher And Summer Camp Employee Arrested On Charges Of Production And Distribution Of Child Pornography

NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, man was arrested and charged today for producing and distributing images of child sexual abuse and enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Colin M. Skeele, 30, of Florham Park, New Jersey, was arrested by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). He is charged by complaint with two counts of production of child pornography, one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, and one count of distribution of child pornography. Skeele appeared in before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Joseph A. Dickson today and was detained without bail.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Skeele worked as a counselor at a boys’ summer camp in Hardwick, New Jersey, and as a teacher at a parochial school located in Boonton, New Jersey, and a parochial school located in Stirling, New Jersey.

In 2011, Skeele became Facebook friends with an underage boy he met while working as a counselor at a summer camp. The investigation revealed Facebook messages between the boy and Skeele in which Skeele offered to pay him money to take sexually explicit photographs and send them to Skeele.  In one instance, Skeele paid the boy $100 to send nude images of himself.  Skeele later sent at least one pornographic image of that boy to another boy that had also attended the summer camp. 

In February 2012, Skeele communicated online with individuals located in the Philippines to purchase live child sexual abuse shows, which Skeele viewed via an online video chat service. Instant messages obtained during the investigation revealed that Skeele used an online fund transfer service to purchase live child sexual abuse videos involving children as young as 1 year old.  

Anyone with information regarding possible victims of this activity is urged to contact the Department of Homeland Security in Newark: 973-776-5500. 

The two counts of producing child pornography each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of distributing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. 

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the ICE-HSI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Terrence S. Opiola, with the investigation leading to today’s charges and arrest. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan M. Peck of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division.

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

Defense counsel: Anthony P. Alfano Esq., Lyndhurst, New Jersey