Egg Harbor Township man distributed child porn, AG says

TRENTON, N.J. -- A southern New Jersey man stands accused of distributing and possessing child pornography.

Acting state Attorney General John Hoffman says 37-year-old Thomas Ballard of Egg Harbor Township was arrested Monday after authorities executed a search warrant at his home. Investigators seized two personal computers and several cell phones.

Ballard was charged with distributing and possessing child porn and tampering with evidence. He remained jailed Tuesday on $100,000 bail, and it was not known if he has retained a lawyer.

Between October 2013 and March 2014, Ballard allegedly distributed more than 3,000 files depicting sexual exploitation of children. Several files show prepubescent girls being bound and tortured with knives pointed at them.

Ballard could face nearly 17 years if convicted on all counts.