Plainsboro Man Charged with Producing and Possessing Child Pornography

A Middlesex County resident faces serious federal charges for producing and possessing child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Anthony Lagotta Jr., 54, of Plainsboro, New Jersey, has been charged with one count each of production and possession of child pornography. The charges stem from allegations that Lagotta sexually assaulted two minor victims approximately 15 years ago and photographed the abuse. Lagotta made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court and is currently detained.

According to court documents, in July 2022, Lagotta uploaded around 30 images depicting sexual abuse to a child pornography website on the darknet. A subsequent search of Lagotta’s residence on August 19, 2024, revealed approximately 700 images on his computer, including some of the same photos that had been uploaded to the darknet.

The production of child pornography charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with a maximum potential sentence of 30 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. The possession charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to apprehend offenders and rescue victims.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Newark’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the Plainsboro Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Douek of the General Crimes Unit in Newark is leading the prosecution.

Lagotta is presumed innocent until proven guilty, as the charges are currently accusations.