Edison Man Charged with Sexual Crimes Against 6-Year-Old in Multi-State Investigation

Following a tip from Illinois authorities, New Jersey law enforcement arrested a Middlesex County resident accused of producing and soliciting child sexual exploitation material.

A 23-year-old man from Edison, Middlesex County, has been arrested and charged with multiple sexual offenses involving a 6-year-old child, following a coordinated investigation between Illinois and New Jersey law enforcement agencies.

According to a joint announcement on October 20, 2025, by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), Shakem T. Holmes has been charged with a series of first-, second-, and third-degree offenses related to child sexual abuse and exploitation. Holmes appeared in court on October 3 and was ordered detained pending further proceedings.

Background of Investigation

The case originated out of East Peoria, Illinois, where on March 30, 2025, a 6-year-old girl began interacting with an unknown individual via a popular social media platform. The communication reportedly transitioned to text messaging, using a phone number later identified as allegedly belonging to Holmes.

According to investigators, Holmes allegedly sent sexually explicit videos of adult women to the child, instructing her to recreate the acts on video and send the recordings back to him.

The child’s parents discovered the messages on her phone and alerted the East Peoria Police Department (EPPD). After tracing the phone number and digital evidence, EPPD determined the suspect was located in New Jersey and notified the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

On July 23, 2025, following the referral, the ICAC Task Force launched an emergent investigation. Authorities obtained a search warrant and arrested Holmes at a hotel where he was staying. During the arrest, law enforcement seized a phone, tablet, and laptop as part of the ongoing forensic analysis.

Charges and Penalties

Holmes has been charged with the following offenses:

• First-degree crimes: Endangering the welfare of a child (manufacturing child sexual abuse material); Aggravated sexual assault.

• Second-degree crimes: Attempted sexual assault; Sexual assault.

• Third-degree crimes: Endangering the welfare of a child (possession of child sexual abuse material); Endangering the welfare of a child (impairing/debauching the morals of a child); Obscenity to a minor.

If convicted, Holmes faces substantial penalties:

• First-degree offenses carry 10 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $200,000.

• Second-degree offenses carry 5 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $150,000.

• Third-degree offenses carry 3 to 5 years in prison and fines up to $15,000.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Conner Ouellette of the Division of Criminal Justice.

Authorities emphasize that charges are accusations only, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.