Somerset County Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

NEWARK, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, man was charged today with allegedly distributing and possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

John Schulenburg, 65, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In July 2019, an undercover law enforcement officer conducted an online session using a publicly available peer-to-peer (P2P) program, which allows internet users to trade digital files. During this session, a user shared multiple files of featuring images of child sexual abuse from an internet address traced to Schulenburg’s residence.

On Nov. 6, 2019, law enforcement lawfully obtained a computer from Schulenburg’s residence that contained hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children being sexually abused. 

The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, and fine of $250,000. The count of possession of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vijay Dewan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

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