Jersey City Man Charged With Child Pornography Possession

NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County, New Jersey, man was arrested today for possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Jonathan Lattif, 44, of Jersey City, is charged by complaint with one count of possessing child pornography. Lattif was scheduled to have his initial appearance by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jose R. Almonte.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On March 18, 2022, Lattif possessed at least three videos depicting sexual abuse of minors, including prepubescent children, on his mobile device.

Lattif has a prior state conviction for possession of child pornography. Accordingly, a charge of possession of child pornography depicting prepubescent children by a repeat offender carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina; and special agents from the Port of New York/Newark, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations New York Field Office, under the direction of Acting Port Director TenaVel T. Thomas, with the investigation leading to the charge.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fatime Meka Cano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.