Child Porn Charges for Former Teacher from Florham Park, Authorities Say

By William Westhoven
Asbury Park Press
August 5, 2016

http://www.app.com/story/news/crime/jersey-mayhem/2016/08/05/child-porn-charges-former-teacher-florham-park-authorities-say/88324660/

A Florham Park man who taught at parochial schools in Boonton and Long Hill was arrested Thursday and charged with producing and distributing images of child sexual abuse, according to U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

Colin M. Skeele, 30, also faces charges of enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to court documents that include excerpts of shocking dialogue transcribed from Skype messages between Skeele and an unnamed individual, who agreed to produce and transmit photos and live videos of children as young as 7-years-old engaging in sexual acts with a 1-year-old.

Arrested by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Skeele was detained without bail by U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Joseph A. Dickson. He is charged by complaint with two counts of production of child pornography, one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of distribution of child pornography.

Court documents state Skeele was employed as a teacher in a Boonton parochial school from June 2009 to about June 2010, and also taught in a parochial school in the Stirling section of Long Hill from about February to June of 2012. He also was seasonally employed at a boys summer camp in Hardwick from 2004 to about 2011.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Paterson could not confirm specific dates of employment, but verified Skeel worked at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Boonton and St. Vincent DePaul School in Stirling.

According to the complaint, Skeele became Facebook friends in 2011 with an underage boy, 17, whom he previously met while working as a counselor at a summer camp. The investigation revealed Facebook messages between the witness and Skeele in which Skeele offered to pay him money to take sexually explicit photographs and send them to Skeele.

In one instance, Skeele is alleged to have paid the boy $100 to send nude images of himself, and later sent at least one pornographic image of that boy to another boy who had also attended the summer camp.

The complaint also alleges that in February 2012, Skeele communicated online with individuals in the Philippines to purchase live child sexual-abuse shows, which Skeele viewed via an online video-chat service.

Instant messages obtained during the investigation revealed that Skeele used an online fund transfer service to purchase live child sexual abuse videos involving children.

"Great ... I have lots of money ... so we can do this every day," Skeele is quoted in the Skype transcript during negotiations for the alleged transactions with an unnamed individual. "how old?" Skeele is quoted saying in the same transcript, asking what other images were available for purchase. "10 yrs old girl and 14 yrs old boy," the individual is quoted in response. "nice," Skeele responded. "i definitely want that. What else can can u get me? i heard u have a baby? a 1 yrs old?" "yesss," the individual responded.

The two counts of producing child pornography each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of distributing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Anthony P. Alfano of Lyndhurst, listed in court documents as defense attorney in the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Anyone with information regarding possible victims of this activity is urged to contact the Department of Homeland Security in Newark at 973-776-5500.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com