CUMBERLAND COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH MANIPULATING WOMEN INTO PHOTOGRAPHING OR VIDEOTAPING SEXUAL ACTS INVOLVING CHILDREN NJ STATE POLICE ARREST MAN ON CHARGES OF FIRST-DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.

TRENTON, NJ -- The following information was released by the office of the Attorney General of New Jersey:

Attorney General Paula T. Dow, Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor and State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes announced that a Cumberland County man has been arrested for allegedly manipulating two women into photographing or video-recording sexual acts involving children. The two women were also arrested.

According to Director Taylor, Gary T. Cramer, 26, was arrested by New Jersey State Police detectives on Feb. 16 at his home on Cedarbrook Avenue in Bridgeton. The arrest was not announced initially because of the ongoing investigation. Cramer allegedly convinced two women that he was their boyfriend, manipulating them into recording sex acts involving young children. He was in fact the boyfriend of a third woman who is not charged.

In one case, Cramer allegedly solicited a 20-year-old woman from Winslow Township, Camden County, to have her photograph a girl and a boy engaged in a sexual act. At Cramer's request, the woman allegedly directed the 8-year-old girl to perform oral sex on the 13-year-old boy, and took a photo of the act with her cell phone that she sent to Cramer's phone. State Police detectives arrested the woman on Jan. 23. To protect the victims, her name is not being released.

In the second case, Cramer allegedly solicited a 24-year-old woman from Woodbine, Cape May County, to have her make a video using her cell phone of herself performing oral sex on her own infant son, who was 5 months old. She allegedly sent it to Cramer's phone. She was arrested on Feb. 16. Her name is being withheld to protect the child, who has been removed from her home.

"This man allegedly convinced two women to arrange and record sexual acts involving young children to satisfy his perverse desires," said Attorney General Dow. "We will do all we can to protect children by prosecuting sexual predators to the full extent of the law."

"We will continue to work closely with the State Police to target those who exploit and sexually abuse children," said Director Taylor. "These cases are an absolute priority."

"The primary goals of the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit and the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are to identify and rescue children who are exploited by those who prey upon them, giving a voice to those who cannot be heard," said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

As part of the investigation, the State Police executed search warrants on Feb. 16 for Cramer's home, his vehicle and the home of the Woodbine woman. Detectives seized three computers from Cramer's home. During the search of his vehicle, detectives seized a laptop computer and cell phone belonging to Cramer, as well as a cell phone that had belonged to the Woodbine woman. They were taken to the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory at the Hamilton (Mercer County) Technology Center for examination.

Cramer and the two women are each charged with aggravated sexual assault (1st degree), endangering the welfare of a child (causing or permitting a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act knowing, having reason to know, or intending that the prohibited act may be photographed) (2nd degree), endangering the welfare of a child (distribution of child pornography) (2nd degree), and endangering the welfare of a child (possession of child pornography) (4th degree). Cramer and the Winslow woman are also charged with conspiracy (2nd degree).

The lead investigator for the New Jersey State Police is Detective Erin Micciulla. The case was investigated by the New Jersey State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit, New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, NJSP Cyber Crimes Unit, NJSP Missing Persons Unit, NJSP Troop A Criminal Investigation Office and NJSP TEAMS South Unit. Assistance was provided by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office and Cape May County Prosecutor's Office.

Deputy Attorney General Kenneth Sharpe is assigned to the investigation and prosecution for the Division of Criminal Justice Computer Analysis and Technology Unit.

Cramer is being held in the Cumberland County Jail with bail set at $200,000. The Woodbine woman is being held in the Cape May County Jail with bail set at $300,000, and the Winslow woman is being held in the Camden County Jail with bail set at $200,000.

The charges filed against the defendants are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Because the charges are indictable offenses, they will be presented to a grand jury for potential indictment.

First-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison and a $200,000 fine. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $150,000, while fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

If you suspect improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the Internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children please contact the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tipline at 1-888-648-6007.