Ocean County Man Charged with Sexually Exploiting Minors

TRENTON, N.J. – An Ocean County, New Jersey, man made his initial court appearance today on charges of producing and distributing videos and images depicting child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Christopher Budelman, 36, Brick, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert by videoconference and was detained.

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

In June 2022, while communicating via an online video chat site, Budelman enticed at least two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct while he masturbated. Budelman recorded and saved those video chats on his computer. From September 2021 to June 2022, Budelman used two Kik Messenger accounts to send images and videos containing child sexual abuse, including images and videos depicting prepubescent minors, to others.

The charges of sexual exploitation of children each carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of distribution of child exploitation material carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Kurtz; the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan; and Brick Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Forrester, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Super Pitts of the Criminal Division in Trenton.

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