After a two-month investigation stemming from a social media network tip, an Aberdeen man is now facing child pornography charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said on Thursday.

Christopher Moran, 46, has been charged with one count of third-degree possession of child pornography and second-degree distribution of child pornography.

The charges were lodged after a tip was received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) from an online social media platform. NCMEC forwarded the tip to the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Regional Task Force; and, in January the Monmouth County ICAC Task Force began its investigation with assistance from the Aberdeen Police Department.

As a result of the joint investigation, Moran was arrested and charged on Wednesday. He is currently being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township awaiting a future detention hearing.

If convicted of possession of child pornography, Moran faces a sentence of three to five years in prison. If convicted of distribution of child pornography, he faces a sentence of five to 10 years in prison.

If convicted, Moran could also be subject community parole for life and may be required under Megan’s Law to register with the New Jersey Sex Offender Registry.

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

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