Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
25 Arrested In NJ Child Porn Crackdown, Including Two Alleged Babysitters
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 27, 2013
Modified Feb 27, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 27, 2013
Modified Feb 27, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
NJ law enforcement authorities announced that they arrested 25 individuals—24 men and one juvenile male—for "possession and distribution of child pornography, including child rape videos." Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said, "Anyone who views and distributes child pornography—particularly the type of child rape videos targeted in this operation—puts himself in league with the predators who sexually assault children to create these videos."
The sting, named "Operation Ever Vigilant," began three months ago. According to a press release, the NJ State Police's Digital Technology Investigations Unit "began the investigation approximately three months ago by searching for New Jersey residents who were making child pornography, including child rape videos, available to others. These files show pre-pubescent boys and girls being sexually molested by being penetrated, or by being coerced into performing sexual acts on themselves, or others."
Five of those arrested had direct contact with young children, including two defendants who are alleged to be regular babysitters. Another defendant is a registered sex offender. Stephen Rainone, of South Amboy, is listed on the state’s sex offender Internet registry as a Tier 2 offender for sexual assault of girls under 13 years of age. Defendant Brent Ailiff of West Berlin remains in jail on $100,000 cash bail. A field preview of Ailiff’s digital storage media revealed hundreds of child pornography files. Four of those arrested remain incarcerated on detainers for being in the country without legal status. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents assisted in the processing of these subjects.
These videos and images are passed back and forth among users through emails and by way of file sharing networks. The networks operate the same way as websites used for privately sharing music or movies. Those in possession of the illegal images often make them available on computers that they control for others to download. Because many of these videos and photos keep recirculating, they make perpetual victims of the children abused in the production of child pornography.
In addition to videos involving child abuse, detectives also discovered disturbing sexually explicit videos portraying necrophilia and bestiality during the searches.
Last week, various state agencies made the arrests. State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes said, "Everyone sitting in the seclusion of their darkened homes viewing child rape videos has victimized these innocents by creating the market for this disgusting material. There’s no room for them to say, ‘I haven’t hurt anyone.'"
Tagged
arrests
child porn
child rape
depressing
nj
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to weigh changes to juvenile jails as assaults and overcrowding rise
The City Council is holding a hearing Tuesday to consider several bills aimed at reducing the youth detention population and improving conditions for those who remain.
By
Samantha Max
Published Oct 26, 2026 at 12:10 p.m. ET
Early Addition: Who's giving out those chic little Nordic gummies this Halloween?
Because the status trick-or-treat candy has arrived, here are your early links: NYC Marathon-themed early voting sticker, New Jersey's Socialist Party on the rise, Herald Square billboard fight and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Who's giving out those chic little Nordic gummies this Halloween?
Because the status trick-or-treat candy has arrived, here are your early links: NYC Marathon-themed early voting sticker, New Jersey's Socialist Party on the rise, Herald Square billboard fight and more.
By
James Ramsay
In East Brooklyn, aging NYCHA homes get a $636M upgrade
By
Willow Higgins
What NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins
By
Caroline Lewis
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .