An 38-year-old man has indicted on 18-counts of charges that he solicited illicit photos and videos from a teenage girl in Keansburg, then distributed them to members of her family in retaliation for her threatening to break off contact with him, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced on Friday.

David Lopez, of Jersey City, has been charged with: first-degree manufacturing child sexual abuse materials, five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child via distribution of child sexual abuse materials, three counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, single counts of third-degree making terroristic threats, third-degree criminal coercion, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child via possession of child sexual abuse materials; and six counts of fourth-degree cyber harassment.

If convicted on the first-degree criminal charges, he could face terms of 10 to 20 years in state prison. Second-degree crimes can yield sentences of five to 10 years.

The case background …

An investigation by the Keansburg Police Department that grew to also involve members of the Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Lopez had made contact with the victim via social media sometime prior to August 2020, and thereafter asked her to send him sexually explicit photos and videos.

After several such exchanges, the investigation revealed, the victim indicated that she preferred to cease communications with Lopez. He allegedly responded by sending some of the photos and videos at least half a dozen of her family members, including children as young as 11. In addition, Lopez allegedly threatened to harm the victim’s family, have other individuals harm them, burn down their house, and told her he could make her life “a living hell.”

Lopez was arrested at his home on Aug. 25, 2020, after which he was released on home detention and ordered to have no contact with the victim and no internet access while the criminal case against him remained pending.

Anyone with additional information about Lopez’s activities is being asked to contact Keansburg Police Department Detective Lt. Bryan King at 732-787-0600.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

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