TOMS RIVER – A Township man has admitted to distributing child pornography and now faces time in state prison, authorities said.
Edward Lynch, 52, pled guilty to Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material. At the time of his sentencing, the State will be seeking a term of 10 years New Jersey State Prison – with a 10-year period of parole ineligibility. He will be subject to the terms of Megan’s Law, and the State will move for Parole Supervision for Life.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip that someone was downloading the material. This was referred to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, which identified the IP address linked to a home in Toms River, authorities said.
On August 24, 2023, authorities searched the home and seized multiple electronic devices. A forensic examination resulted in officials finding more than 1,000 items of child pornography. Further investigation revealed that Lynch was the individual responsible.
Lynch was charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material and taken into custody at his home without incident; he was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
It was later discovered that Lynch knowingly distributed more than 1,000 items of child pornography by using apps such as Telegram, Session, and Wickr Me.
Lynch was additionally charged on April 21, 2024, with Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material, along with a second count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.
On that date, Lynch surrendered himself to Toms River Township Police Headquarters. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Shanon Chant-Berry who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Lynch’s guilty plea, and soon his state prison sentence.
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