January 13, 2015

Morris County Man Charged with Distributing Sexually Explicit Images of Children

NEWARK, NJ—Special agents of the FBIand officers of the Madison Police Department (MPD) arrested a Morris County, New Jersey, man at his home this morning for allegedly distributing sexually explicit images of children from his home computer, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Michael Hodukavich, 24, is charged by complaint with one count of distributing images of child sexual abuse over the Internet. He appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 bond.

According to the criminal complaint filed today:

On Nov. 20 and 21, 2014, Hodukavich distributed videos and images depicting child sexual abuse on the Internet via peer-to-peer file sharing software, which allowed others access to the material in shared directories. An undercover agent discovered and downloaded the images and videos, and the username and IP address of the sharer was traced back to Hodukavich’s residence.

The distribution count carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, and the MPD, under the direction of Chief Darren Dachisen, Chief of Police, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Wangenheim of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.