Child Porn Operation Nets 25 Arrests [VIDEO]

A total of 25 New Jersey residents were arrested between February 18th and 22nd for the alleged possession and distribution of child pornography.

New Jersey Attorney General Jeff Chiesa made the announcement today alongside a number of officials who were crucial in performing the five-day sweep. The collaborative effort was dubbed Operation Ever Vigilant.

Each suspect, 24 men and one juvenile male, was found to be in possession of multiple sexually explicit videos of young children, which they had made available to others.

"I won't mince words," said Chiesa. "The videos we're talking about are largely the rape of young children."

Chiesa said the videos showed very young boys and girls being sexually molested by penetration or by being coerced into performing sexual acts on themselves, or others.

Chiesa continued, "These are truly vile materials produced by torturing children."

Five of the men arrested had direct contact with young children, including two who regularly acted as babysitters. Another defendant is a registered sex offender.

All 25 suspects, who range in age from 17 to 66, have been charged with second-degree distribution and fourth-degree possession.