NJ Man Admits Possession and Distribution of Child Abuse Materials

New Milford resident admits to distributing and possessing over 600 illegal images, faces potential 20-year sentence.

NEWARK, N.J. – Michael Kimmerle, 35, of New Milford, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to charges of distributing and possessing child pornography, as announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Kimmerle admitted to the charges on November 6, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court.

According to court documents, Kimmerle engaged in the distribution of child sexual abuse material from August 2021 through August 2022 using a publicly accessible peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing program. Law enforcement officers, participating in undercover online operations, accessed the program and traced video files containing illegal content to Kimmerle’s residence. During a search conducted on September 14, 2022, agents recovered over 600 thumbnail images of child pornography on Kimmerle’s laptop, many of which had been shared through the P2P platform.

The distribution charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with a potential maximum of 20 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. The possession charge also carries a potential 20-year maximum sentence and a similar fine. Kimmerle’s sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea D. Coleman of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.