Elementary Teacher Shared Child Porn On Social Media: Somerset County Prosecutor

BRANCHBURG, NJ — A Branchburg elementary school teacher was arrested after police say he had and shared child pornography on social media.

Kenneth Vaughn, 35, of Peapack, was charged with second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse materials and third-degree possession of child sexual abuse materials, announced Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

Detectives determined that Vaughn was currently employed as an elementary school teacher in Branchburg.

The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office(SCPO) was notified by the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force about a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning files depicting sexual abuse and/or the exploitation of a minor via a social media and messaging platform, said McDonald.

An investigation by SCPO detectives identified Vaughn as the suspect responsible for distributing and possessing the files depicting the sexual abuse and/or exploitation of a minor via a social media and messaging platform.

On Aug. 26, a search warrant was executed at Vaughn's home and on his vehicle by Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit detectives, along with members of the Somerville Police Department, where electronic devices were seized.

Vaughn was then taken into custody without incident and taken to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

Vaughn was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing on this matter, and was subsequently released pending a future court appearance.

The investigation remains ongoing by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation
Unit.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Somerville Police Department at 908-725-0331 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.