Howell Man Sentenced On Repeat Child Porn Charges

HOWELL, NJ — A repeat child pornography offender from Howell was sentenced to an extended five years at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center at Avenel, according to Acting Prosecutor Lori Linskey.

Thomas Vilanova, 50, was also sentenced to parole supervision for life by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Lourdes Lucas.

Vilanova was first convicted of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child via possession of child sexual abuse material in July 2017, after an investigation by the Monmouth County Internet Crimes Against Children.

Vilanova signed a plea deal back then agreeing to have his online activities monitored.

READ MORE: Howell Man Charged In Child Porn Sweep, Released By Judge

In September 2020, a probation officer reported that Vilanova may have downloaded child sexual abuse materials from his desktop computer at home.

He was charged with one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child on Oct. 13 while on probation for an earlier child pornography charge.

The 50-year-old turned himself into police in October 2020 and once again pleaded guilty in June of this year. He admitted to having violated his probation.

Vilanova was deemed a "repetitive and compulsive offender" after an evaluation, Liskey said.