Paterson Man Charged with Distributing and Possessing Child Pornography

Federal authorities allege Dwayne Smalls advertised and shared exploitative material involving minors via messaging platforms between August and October 2023.

A 25-year-old man from Paterson has been charged with distribution and possession of child pornography following a federal investigation into his alleged use of online messaging platforms to advertise and share exploitative material involving minors, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Dwayne Smalls appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court on charges stemming from a criminal complaint. He is accused of distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and possessing multiple video files containing illegal content, including images involving prepubescent children.

According to court documents and statements made during the hearing, from August through October 2023, Smalls used various messaging platforms to promote and distribute CSAM in exchange for payment. A subsequent search of his residence and mobile phone led law enforcement to uncover approximately eleven unique video files containing child sexual exploitation material.

The charge of distributing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum of 20 years, along with a potential fine of up to $250,000. The possession charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a similar fine.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit and the Newark FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Stern of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit. The charges are part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated federal, state, and local enforcement efforts.

Authorities remind the public that the charges are accusations, and Smalls is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.