WARREN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — A Somerset County man has been charged with distributing and possessing child sexual abuse materials following an investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit, authorities said.
Craig Babcock, 33, of Warren Township, was charged with second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse materials, third-degree possession of child sexual abuse materials and third-degree distribution of obscene materials to a minor, according to Somerset County First Assistant Prosecutor Annemarie L. Mueller, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Meredith McKay and Warren Township Police Chief Robert W. Ferreiro.
Authorities said the investigation began in May after the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force notified the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office of multiple CyberTipline reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving the alleged possession of files depicting the sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor through a messaging application.
Detectives identified Babcock as being associated with the messaging application account during the investigation, officials said.
On Wednesday, July 29, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, assisted by members of the Warren Township Police Department, executed a Superior Court-authorized search warrant at Babcock’s residence. Authorities said electronic devices were seized for forensic analysis.
Babcock was taken into custody at his home without incident and transported to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office for processing before being lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100, the Warren Township Police Department at 908-753-1000, the Somerset County Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477), or submit an anonymous tip through the STOPit app or online at SCPO.TIPS.
