Press Release

Press Releases << EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

For Immediate Release:
May 20, 2024

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of NOEL Q. RICKETTS, 25, of 334 Main Street, Apartment 3, East Rutherford, NJ, on charges of possession of child sexual abuse material. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck.

On Friday, May 17, 2024, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at the residence of NOEL Q. RICKETTS during the course of an Internet child sexual abuse material investigation. The investigation revealed that RICKETTS used the Internet to view, download and possess 3,700 items depicting nude and/or sexually explicit prepubescent and pubescent children.

As a result of the investigation, NOEL Q. RICKETTS was arrested on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with second-degree possession of child pornography, N.J.S.A.2C:24-4(b)5(b)(ii). RICKETTS was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack.

Prosecutor Musella states that the charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella thanks the East Rutherford Police Department and New York City Police Department for their assistance in this investigation, as well as the Washington Township and Englewood Police Departments, which participate in the Bergen County Cyber Crimes Task Force.