NJ man couldn’t hide child porn, drug dealings on ‘dark net,’ prosecutor says

MAYWOOD — An unemployed borough man has been charged with possessing images of child sexual abuse and with buying illegal drugs online.

Nicholas A. Bencze, 36, was arrested Friday — on his birthday — after Bergen County Prosecutor's Office detectives and borough police executed a search warrant at his home.

Prosecutors say Bencze downloaded the sexual images of prepubescent children from the so-called dark web or darknet — the part of the web that exists on private, peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.

The networks are sometimes used by journalists, whistleblowers and others interested in protecting their privacy, but the networks are also used by people trafficking in illegal pornography or drugs.

He's also charged with using Bitcoin — an alternative digital currency — to purchase drugs like steroids.

Authorities did not release further details of their investigation Friday.

Bencze was being held at Bergen County jail pending a court hearing Wednesday.

New Jersey 101.5 did not know Saturday whether Bencze had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

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Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-359-5348 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.