February 20, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported today that an investigation into online child exploitation has resulted in the arrest of two Trenton men and the seizure of cocaine, a 9mm handgun and $10,480 in cash.
In November 2023, detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual in Mercer County was uploading items that portrayed the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child. An investigation was initiated, and Marcus Roberts was identified as a subject.
On Friday, February 16, 2024, members of the Mercer County Tactical Response Team, with assistance from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations Trenton, executed a search warrant at Roberts’ Trenton residence, where detectives seized multiple items of evidentiary value. Roberts, 32, was taken into custody without incident. He is charged with one count of third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Roberts pending trial.
During the search warrant execution, detectives also located approximately 55 grams of cocaine, a loaded, 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a digital scale, and $10,480 in cash in a bedroom belonging to Jared Roberts, Marcus’ brother. Jared Roberts, 36, was also taken into custody and charged with drug and weapons offenses. The Prosecutor’s Office has also filed a motion to detain Jared Roberts pending trial.
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.
Prosecutor Onofri 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 his 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.
Marcus Roberts
Jared Roberts