Little League Coach Strikes Out: Arrested by FBI Agents on Child Pornography Charges

NEWARK, NJ—Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun announced today the arrest of Everett Abney, age 41, of 36 Brookville Road, Edison, New Jersey, on charges of possession of child pornography. The arrest occurred Tuesday evening. Abney, an unemployed furniture finisher, has been a little league coach with the Midtown League for the past three years.

Following up on a lead, FBI agents approached Abney in February of 2009 at his residence. Subsequent to that meeting, agents seized Abney’s computer and began a forensic examination of it. Though it presented several technical challenges, law enforcement was able to conclude their forensic examination of Abney’s computer in August. The review of that examination, which is ongoing, allegedly uncovered “thousands of images of what appear to be child pornography…” according to the complaint which described three of those images in graphic detail.

Abney was housed overnight Tuesday in the Somerset County Jail. Agents transported him to Newark yesterday morning for his initial appearance before the Honorable Claire C. Cecchi, United States Magistrate Judge. Abney was released on $100,000 bond. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years' incarceration for the possession of child pornography. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed against Abney

Additionally, victim-witness specialists from the FBI are working with the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) to assess and assist the victims and families affected by this crisis.

“No matter how many arrests we make in child pornography cases, we are always shocked at what we find in each case, particularly because of the ages of the victims of these crimes," said Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun. “I commend the Newark FBI agents of the Innocent Images group for apprehending Abney and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI Victim Witness Assistance Program, and DYFS for their assistance in this matter.”

The public is encouraged to research cyber crime and peer-to-peer networks on www.fbi.gov. Anyone with information about this matter is encouraged to call the FBI at (973) 792-3000 or e-mail the FBI at ABNEY2009@ic.fbi.gov. Anyone with concerns their child may have been victimized by the defendant should contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3300.