Suspended Dover police officer pleads guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material
LEDGEWOOD, N.J. (Morris County) — Authorities have announced that Anthony Kelly, 37, of Ledgewood, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Kelly, a Dover police officer who is currently suspended without pay, entered the guilty plea Monday before Judge Ralph Amirata in Morris County Superior Court. He pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll.
The case began with a referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which provided six CyberTips to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children task force. The tips detailed the distribution of more than 100 items of CSAM through a Kik instant messaging account between July 2024 and October 2024. Investigators traced the account to Kelly, who was charged on Nov. 26, 2024, Carroll said.
Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend a seven-year term in New Jersey State Prison. Upon release, Kelly will be required to register under Megan’s Law and will be subject to parole supervision for life.
Kelly is scheduled to be sentenced on July 18, 2025.
