Manalapan Man Arrested By Feds For Producing Child Porn

Angelo Curato, photo via facebook

Angelo Curato, 26, of Manalapan, was arrested by federal authorities today and charged with convincing children to engage in sexually explicit conduct online, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

On June 2, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Curato’s residence. A forensic review of Curato’s laptop revealed hundreds of sexually explicit chat messages on his Skype accounts and hundreds of screenshots of boys engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The defendant was arrested by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s at that time and charged with one count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for Possession of Child Pornography and one count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for Distribution of Child Pornography.

He is charged today by federal complaint with one count of producing visual depictions of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Charles Webster of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office referred all questions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Matthew Reilly spokes person for the U.S. Attorney said that he could not address any information not included in the complaint when asked where Curato has been since, or what measures have been taken to prevent similar conduct since June 2 of last year.

Curato used online applications, including Skype, to interact with dozens of boys while pretending to be a 17-year-old girl, according to the federal complaint. During these online communications, Curato received naked pictures of the children and watched them engage in sexually explicit conduct on video, according to Carpenito’s announcement.

The defendant was previously employed at a family amusement center in Freehold, according to the U.S. Attorney. His facebook profile indicates that he has worked at the Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club and at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Curato was expected to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court.

The charge of producing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Anyone with information regarding possible victims of this activity is urged to contact 866-DHS-2-ICE.

The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty