Middlesex Co. Man Hid Over 2 Million Child Sex Abuse Files Behind Washer & Dryer: Cops

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A Plainsboro man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for possession of over 100,000 items of child sexual abuse material, authorities in Middlesex County said.

On Sept. 1, 2022, detectives from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and Plainsboro Police executed a search warrant at the home of Derek McDonough. The search warrant stemmed from a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Several devices, including a laptop, cell phone, and external hard drives, were seized from McDonough’s residence and forensically examined, resulting in almost two million photos and videos of child sexual abuse material recovered, Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said.

These devices were secreted behind McDonough’s washer and dryer.

McDonough was charged with first-degree possession of child pornography and fourth-degree tampering with evidence.

Between Feb. 14, 2024, and Feb. 21, 2024, evidence was presented to a jury by Assistant Prosecutor Tina Swenor and former Assistant Prosecutor Rowa Altattan.

On Feb. 21, 2024, McDonough was convicted by a jury of first-degree Possession of Child Pornography and fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence.

This month, McDonough was sentenced to an aggregated term of 25 years in the custody of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, subject to 12 years of parole ineligibility.

Upon his release, McDonough must register pursuant to Megan’s Law and will be on Parole Supervision for Life.

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