Crime & Safety

Area Man, Previously Convicted of Child Porn Possession, Faces New Charge

New charge stems from October investigation

By Gregory Kyriakakis

An area man convicted of child pornography possession in 2008 is facing a new charge after authorities said he shared a video and images depicting child sexual abuse in last year.

Layne Bracht, 31, of Highlands, faces one count of possessing child pornography following an October 2013 search of his home, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office news release. He was arrested by FBI special agents at his home Wednesday morning.

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Authorities charged that Bracht distributed a video and images depicting child sexual abuse through a peer-to-peer file sharing service on Oct. 28. Authorities on Wednesday seized digital evidence including videos and images depicting child sexual abuse, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The “numerous” videos and images found allegedly found on Bracht’s computer involve “prepubescent minors and sadistic or masochistic conduct,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

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A federal court judge ruled Wednesday that Bracht be held without bail, officials said.

Bracht previously pleaded guilty to child pornography possession and was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by a five-year supervised release.

“As a previously convicted sex offender, Bracht faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the possession offense,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, along with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office conducted the investigation, according to officials.



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