September 17, 2024
HAMILTON, NJ (MERCER)–Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton reported today that an investigation into online child exploitation has resulted in the arrest of a Hamilton man.
Don-Diego Parkman, 19, of Hamilton, is charged with one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of second-degree sexual assault, one count of first-degree manufacturing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), one count of third-degree possession of CSAM and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Parkman pending trial.
Earlier this month, detectives with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit and the New Jersey State Police ICAC Task Force received information from law enforcement in Missouri that a minor in their jurisdiction had been chatting and exchanging child sexual abuse material at the direction of an individual named Don-Diego Parkman. An investigation was initiated and detectives discovered that, in addition to exchanging sexually-explicit messages and photos with the preteen girl, Parkman was directing her to take photos and videos of herself engaging in sexual conduct to send to him.
Last week, members of the prosecutor’s ICAC Unit, with assistance from the Hamilton Police SWAT Team, executed a search warrant at Parkman’s Hamilton residence, where detectives seized multiple items of evidentiary value. Parkman was taken into custody without incident.
During the course of the investigation, authorities learned that during the past year Parkman has been employed as a costumed character and mascot by companies including Six Flags Great Adventure, Somerset Baseball Partners, Devils Arena Entertainment, and most recently, Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa.
First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Acting Prosecutor Hilton urged anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to please contact the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at (609) 989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at (888) 648-6007.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Don-Diego Parkman, 19, of Hamilton, is charged with one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of second-degree sexual assault, one count of first-degree manufacturing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), one count of third-degree possession of CSAM and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Parkman pending trial.