Prosecutor: Brick Man Facing Child Porn Charges

A Brick man tried to destroy his computer's hard drive as detectives entered his Gloucester Drive home armed with a search warrant as part of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office's "Cyber Child Pornography Drag Net," a spokesman said.

Steven Stone, 27, Gloucester Drive, was charged with one count of second-degree distribution of child pornography and one count of third-degree possession of child pornography, spokesman Al Della Fave said.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio said the raid was conducted on Dec. 15 by members of the Ocean County High Tech Crime Unit, the Brick Township Police Department and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

Despite Stone's efforts to destroy the hard drive, forensic examiners were able to obtain evidence to support the charges, Della Fave said.

"As a result of the search, a forensic examination revealed that Stone was actively downloading and sharing images and movies of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts," he said.

Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney set Stone's bail at $100,000 cash. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, Della Fave said.

The New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children also provided investigative assistance, as both OCPO and the NJSP were simultaneously monitoring Stone's illegal activities, he said.

Image: Ocean County Prosecutor's Office