Somerset County Resident Admits Distributing Child Pornography

TRENTON, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, resident today admitted distributing videos and images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Marcevan Manasse, 28, Somerville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging one count of distribution of child pornography. 

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

From Sept. 20, 2020, through Nov. 22, 2020, Manasse distributed material containing images and video files of child sexual abuse, via a publicly available online peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network of linked computers. Law enforcement officers conducted an undercover online session to access the P2P program and to download five video files and 11 images containing child pornography from an IP address assigned to an internet service provider account associated with Manasse’s residence. These files included multiple visual depictions of pre-pubescent children being sexually abused by adults.

The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.  He also thanked the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office for its assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Farhana C. Melo of the Criminal Division in Newark.