Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that Andre DeMelo, 29, of Newark was arrested today by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Task Force with assistance from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.
A search warrant was executed at his apartment in the 500 block of Irvine Turner Blvd in Newark. Images and videos of underage girls were found on a laptop computer owned exclusively by DeMelo.
DeMelo is employed as an U.S. Army recruiter in New York City. If convicted of the charges, DeMelo faces 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison and would have to register under Megan’s Law. His first court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 15, at 9 am.
These charges are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless or until they plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law.
