CAMDEN COUNTY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said he’s increased the number of people and resources available to pursue tips authorities receive about child sex abuse materials and human trafficking.
“This is in order to address the uptick in reports that were received so that we can hold these perpetrators accountable,” said Platkin.
The increased manpower and resources have led to direct results, like the recent arrest of Charles Campbell IV of Mount Ephraim, New Jersey. The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office said the 44-year-old was arrested after authorities got a tip he had images stored on a Google account.
Platkin’s office has reported a 75% increase in arrests for child sex abuse materials and human trafficking since 2020. That year, the total number of arrests was 232. Last year, it was over 400.
“We’re sending a message that if you harm our children, harm our vulnerable people, if you seek to take advantage of them for profit and use them for sex, you’re going to be held accountable and you’re going to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Platkin.
He went on to ask for parents to be more mindful about what they’re doing on their phones.
“It’s critical to warn children about the perils of sharing too much information online,” said Platkin
One of the keys he said is to go through the privacy settings on every app to make sure sensitive information isn’t publicly available.