A 50-year-old Washington Township man has been charged with allegedly possessing child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM), according to Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns.
James Adams, a teacher at Dr. William Mennies Elementary School in Vineland, was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child Distribution of CSAEM, a second-degree crime, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child-Possession of CSAEM, a third-degree crime, according to a press release from the prosecutor.
Detectives from the prosecutor’s High Tech Crimes Unit and township police executed a search warrant at Adams’ residence on June 26 following a review of social media messages containing CSAEM that were traced to that location. The search turned up multiple electronic devices allegedly belonging to Adams, including a device of the same make and model linked to the CSAEM messages, according to investigators.
Police say Adams gave a statement to detectives admitting he received the CSAEM-related social media messages. He is being held at the Salem County Correctional Facility pending further proceedings. The state’s investigation remains ongoing.
The prosecutor’s office encourages anyone with information or potential victims of the crime to call the High Tech Crimes Unit at (856) 384-5524.
