Middlesex County Man Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

NEWARK, N.J. - A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was charged with possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Andrew Chu, 33, of Edison, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of possession of child pornography. Chu made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court on April 18, 2024, and was detained.

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

From May 2023 through November 2023, Chu used his computer to view approximately 100 images of child sexual abuse, including depictions involving pre-pubescent children.

In a prior federal prosecution in New Jersey in 2021, Chu was convicted of possession of child pornography; for a repeat offender, the charge of possession of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

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 charge.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Douek of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.