Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that a Maplewood accountant was arrested and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.
At approximately 6:30 a.m. a search warrant was executed at the home of Kenneth Mashel, 55, of Maplewood. Two computers were seized and Mashel was taken into custody and charged with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. After he was processed, he was released.
It is alleged Mashel distributed and possessed multiple images depicting naked prepubescent girls engaged in sexual acts.
The investigation was handled by the Cyber Crimes Unit of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office with assistance of from the FBI and Maplewood Police Department.
Acting Prosecutor Murray commended Detective Michele Bolan and Lieutenant Richard Gould of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit, the FBI and the Maplewood Police Department.
If convicted of all charges, Mashel faces 10 years in state prison on the second degree distribution of child pornography charge and 18 months on the fourth degree possession of child pornography charge.
These are mere accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
