Ocean County Man Charged With Possession, Distribution Of Child Porn

Authorities arrested a 27-year-old Barnegat man this morning after a search of his house revealed pornographic movies and photos of young children, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said.

Eric Underwald, 27, 31 Windward Drive, was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography after law enforcement officials searched his house and a prior residence today, said Coronato.

The arrest was the culmination of a four-month investigation by multiple agencies, including the Prosecutor's Office, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, the Department of Homeland Security/ Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Barnegat Police Department, he said.

Police also searched Underwald's previous residence at 78 Deer Run Drive in Barnegat. The investigation found that both locations were the source of several hundred images of child pornography on the internet, including photos and movie files.

"A forensic preview of the computer evidence at the above addresses by the Ocean County High Tech Crime Unit found Underwald to be possessing and sharing child pornography photos and movies with other persons on the internet," Coronato said.

When Underwald was informed of his arrest, he tried to flee the building through a second floor window, Coronato said.

"The quick actions of Barnegat officers prevented Underwald from injuring himself and accessing a number of knives and swords he had hidden in his bedroom," Coronato said.

Underwald was taken to the Barnegat Police Department, where he was charged with two counts of second degree distribution of child pornography, one fourth-degree count of possession of child pornography, resisting arrest and fourth degree hindering, Coronato said

His bail was set at $75,000 with no 10 percent option, the prosecutor said. 

Underwald was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center for evaluation, after he made several suicidal statements during his arrest and processing, Coronato said.