MIDDLE TOWNSHIP, NJ — A 44-year-old man was arrested on a charge of possession of child sexual abuse material following an investigation that began with a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Frederick E. Ruddick Jr., of Egg Harbor Township, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child – possession of child sexual abuse material, a third-degree crime, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Middle Township Police Chief Tracey Super.
The investigation began after a cyber-tip revealed an unidentified subject had uploaded various images of child sexual abuse material, authorities said.
On Jan. 23, court-authorized search warrants were executed on Ruddick’s person and motor vehicle by members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Ruddick was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center pending court proceedings.
Third-degree crimes carry a potential sentence of three to five years in New Jersey State Prison.
The investigation was led by Task Force Officer Kelley Shustack, an officer from the Cape May Police Department assigned to the prosecutor’s office High-Tech Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
