Morris County Man Admits Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

NEWARK, N.J. - A Morris County, New Jersey, man today admitted possessing and distributing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Anselmo Girimonte, 53, of Wharton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Julien Xavier Neals in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From Dec. 27, 2021, through Jan. 17, 2022, Girimonte distributed material containing images and video files of child sexual abuse, via a publicly available online peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing program. Law enforcement used undercover online sessions to access the P2P program and during these sessions a user shared multiple video files of adults sexually abusing prepubescent children from an internet protocol address traced to Girimonte's residence. During a March 2, 2022, search of Girimonte's residence, law enforcement found over 100 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse, including images of prepubescent children being sexually abused, on Girimonte's cell phone.

The count of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 20, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. He also thanked the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the Rockaway Township Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

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