Burlington Township Man Indicted on Nine Counts Following Federal Cybertip
A 38-year-old Burlington Township man has been formally indicted by a grand jury on nine criminal charges involving the distribution and creation of child sexual abuse material, the Trentonian reported. Kareem Abdel-Rahman faces mounting felony counts after investigators uncovered an alleged three-year online scheme targeting underage girls through social media platforms.
The case, prosecuted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, brings forward serious allegations regarding the exploitation of minors in cyberspace. According to investigators, the suspect utilized false online personas to manipulate victims into generating illicit imagery.
Cybertip Sparks Investigation into Illicit Files
The investigation commenced after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued a cybertip to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit. Detectives discovered that Abdel-Rahman operated accounts on Snapchat and Telegram, where he allegedly spent three years sharing and trading illicit files.
Authorities state that the defendant amassed and distributed more than 30,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material during this timeframe. New Jersey 101.5 noted that the suspect was initially arrested on August 20 following the high-tech crimes unit’s intervention.
Suspect Used Coercion Tactics Against Victims
Court documents and prosecutorial findings reveal specific coercion methods used during the online interactions. Prosecutors report that Abdel-Rahman posed as an underage teenage boy while conducting sexually explicit chats with multiple young girls.
The suspect allegedly sent pornographic images and videos to the victims before requesting that they create and return similar material of themselves. At least two underage girls complied with the demands. One victim reported to investigators that she provided the material after the defendant threatened to commit suicide if she refused to comply.
Grand Jury Returns Nine-Count Indictment
The Burlington County grand jury formally handed down a nine-count indictment against Abdel-Rahman in Mount Holly. The charges span multiple degrees of severity under New Jersey law:
- Two counts of first-degree causing or permitting a child to create child sexual abuse material
- One count of first-degree distribution of 1,000 or more items of child sexual abuse material
- One count of second-degree aggravated sexual extortion
- One count of second-degree possession of between 1,000 and 99,000 items of child sexual abuse material
- Two counts of third-degree debauching the morals of a child
- Two counts of third-degree providing obscenity to a minor
Abdel-Rahman has been held at the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly since his late August arrest. New Jersey News 12 reported that an arraignment will soon be scheduled in the matter, where the defendant is expected to enter a plea.
Ongoing Search for Additional Victims
Law enforcement officials emphasize that the investigation remains active as detectives continue to search for potential additional victims. The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office urges anyone possessing relevant information concerning the defendant to contact the High-Tech Crimes Unit directly at 609-265-5035 or submit tips online through the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office tip portal.
Additional safety resources and guidance for parents monitoring online applications can be accessed via the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force or the NetSmartz resource center.
