Thomas A. Pirretti, 33, of Flemington, allegedly met the autistic victim, a 16-year-old California resident, on the Nintendo Network in October 2014. After obtaining her phone number, Pirretti allegedly called the girl repeatedly and solicited her to send him sexually explicit photos of herself. He also allegedly asked her to send photos of herself engaging in sexual activity with her younger female cousin. He told the victim that he would be her boyfriend if she complied with his demands. In response to his alleged demands, the victim sent Pirretti at least 10 nude images of herself. When the victim’s mother learned about the conduct, she alerted local police, who traced the calls to New Jersey and notified the Division of Criminal Justice.

In November 2014, Pirretti allegedly solicited an 11-year-old Colorado girl to send him naked photos of herself. As in the previous instance, he allegedly met the victim on the Nintendo Network and obtained her phone number. He then called her repeatedly and asked her to send him nude photos of herself. That victim did not send any photos. When the victim’s father learned about the phone calls, he alerted local police, who entered the case into the cybertip database of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The phone number of the caller was again traced to Pirretti.

At the time of the alleged conduct, Pirretti already was facing charges of possession and distribution of child pornography stemming from his July 22, 2014 arrest in “Operation Predator Alert,” a joint operation by the Division of Criminal Justice and ICE Homeland Security Investigations. A total of 28 individuals were arrested in Operation Predator Alert, in two separate sweeps, for allegedly using a file-sharing network to download and distribute child pornography, including child rape videos, on the Internet. That investigation revealed that, between October 2013 and June 2014, Pirretti allegedly possessed approximately 1,005 items of child pornography and allegedly distributed approximately 750 items of child pornography via email. He allegedly engaged in an online chat with another defendant in Operation Predator Alert in which they discussed their desire for prepubescent girls. Pirretti allegedly asked if he could pay for sexual activity with the other defendant’s 10-year-old daughter.

“Even after his 2014 arrest for distributing child pornography, Pirretti allegedly stalked young girls online, manipulating a very vulnerable victim into sending him sexually explicit photos of herself,” said Acting Attorney General Lougy. “We charge that Pirretti is a dangerous predator who should not be free to roam the Internet or our communities.”

“This case reminds us of the dangers children face from online predators, who use social media and gaming sites to search for victims for their deviant purposes,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “As long as these threats remain, we will work diligently with our state and federal partners to patrol the Internet and catch alleged offenders like Pirretti.”

“As the use of social media, apps and other platforms as grooming tools by child sexual predators only continues to expand, so shall our agents efforts expand,” said Special Agent in Charge Terence S. Opiola of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Newark. “This threat is one that, with the continued collaboration of law enforcement partners in New Jersey, Homeland Security Investigations is meeting head on. HSI remains fully committed to protecting the most vulnerable among our society.”

Pirretti was charged in a 10-count indictment filed yesterday by the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau. He is charged with manufacturing child pornography (1st degree), attempted manufacturing of child pornography (2nd degree), distribution of 25 or more files of child pornography (2nd degree), distribution of child pornography (2nd degree, pre-Aug. 14, 2013), possession of 100 or more files of child pornography (3rd degree), possession of child pornography (3rd degree), possession of child pornography (4th degree, pre-Aug. 14, 2013), debauching the morals of a child (3rd degree), attempted debauching the morals of a child (3rd degree), and cyber-harassment (3rd degree).

Deputy Attorney General Joseph Remy presented the case to the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau. It was investigated by Deputy Attorney General Remy, former Deputy Attorney General Anand Shah, Detective Abraham Aquino, Detective Richard DaSilva Jr. and former Detective Sgt. Thomas Turley, under the supervision of Lt. Lisa A. Shea, Deputy Attorney General Veronica Allende, who is Deputy Bureau Chief, Deputy Attorney General Michael A. Monahan, who is Bureau Chief, and former Deputy Bureau Chief Kenneth Sharpe.

Acting Attorney General Lougy commended the special agents of the Cherry Hill, Newark, Detroit and Los Angeles Offices of ICE Homeland Security Investigations who conducted the investigation. Acting Attorney General Lougy also acknowledged the valuable assistance of the New Jersey State Police, Raritan Township Police Department, Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, and local police in California and Colorado.

The first-degree count of manufacturing child pornography carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison, including a mandatory minimum term of parole ineligibility equal to 85 percent of the sentence imposed, and a fine of up to $500,000. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000; third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000; and fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a $10,000 fine.

Under New Jersey’s new child pornography law, which took effect on Aug. 14, 2013, possession of 100 or more computer files of child pornography carries a presumption that the defendant will face a state prison term of three to five years, regardless of whether the defendant has any prior felony record. Distribution of 25 or more files of child pornography under the new law carries a mandatory minimum period of parole ineligibility of five years. In cases of possession or distribution of child pornography, the prosecutor can ask the court to impose a sentence of parole supervision for life under Megan’s Law.

The indictment was handed up to Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson in Mercer County, who assigned the case to Hunterdon County, where Pirretti will be ordered to appear in court at a later date for arraignment. Pirretti currently is free on $125,000 bail. As a condition of bail, Pirretti is prohibited from accessing the Internet.

Acting Attorney General Lougy and Director Honig urged anyone who suspects improper contact by persons communicating with children on the Internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to contact the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tipline at 888-648-6007.

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