Detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit recently
received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an
individual in Mercer County was distributing child pornography. An investigation was
initiated and Kevin Pearsall, 30, of Trenton, was identified as a subject. On February
11, 2022, detectives with the prosecutor’s office detained Pearsall without incident at
the Hamilton Walmart where he is employed. Pearsall’s cell phone was seized
pursuant to a search warrant and approximately 30 videos depicting child pornography
were located, including one that Pearsall shared with another person. Pearsall was
charged with second-degree distribution of child pornography, second-degree
possession with the intent to distribute child pornography and third-degree possession
of child pornography.
Detectives continued their investigation and discovered that Pearsall and the other
individual engaged in the exchange of child pornography as well as sexually explicit
conversation regarding sexual abuse and the sexual exploitation of children.
Additionally, evidence was obtained that Pearsall actively promoted and directed the
sexual assault and abuse of a five-year-old child during the conversation with this other
individual. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office filed additional charges against
Pearsall, including two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault as an
accomplice, second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated sexual assault and third-
degree endangering the welfare of a child as an accomplice. The investigation of the
individual Pearsall conversed with is active and ongoing.
Last week, a hearing was held in Mercer County Superior Court and Judge Robert W.
Bingham II granted the prosecutor’s office motion to detain Pearsall pending trial.
Assistant Prosecutor Allie Beyrouty, ICAC unit chief, represented the state.
The first-degree offense of aggravated sexual assault carries a potential sentence of 25
years to life in state prison, along with the requirement to register pursuant to Megan’s
Law. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a
fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in
state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Prosecutor Onofri urged anyone with information about suspected improper contact by
unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation
or sexual abuse of children to please contact his Internet Crimes Against Children
(ICAC) Unit at 609-989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task
Force tip line at 888-648-6007.
