Vijaykumar faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison (Photo: Representational)

200 images found: Indian-origin man pleads guilty to accessing child abuse material

Abhishek Vijaykumar, a resident of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, admitted in federal court that he knowingly accessed the illegal material in March 2024. Investigators later recovered more than 200 images from his electronic devices, including the image involving the three-year-old child and an adult male.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Abhishek Vijaykumar admitted to accessing illegal images in March 2024
  • Over 200 abusive images recovered from his devices including a three-year-old victim
  • Faces up to 20 years in prison; sentencing set for January 6, 2027

An Indian-origin man in New Jersey has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of knowingly accessing child sexual abuse material, including an image depicting the sexual abuse of a three-year-old child, the US Department of Justice said.

Abhishek Vijaykumar, a resident of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, admitted in federal court that he knowingly accessed the illegal material in March 2024. Investigators later recovered more than 200 images from his electronic devices, including the image involving the three-year-old child and an adult male.

Vijaykumar faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on January 6, 2027. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI's Newark Field Office is investigating the case with assistance from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Cyber Crimes Unit, according to the Justice Department. Vijaykumar has admitted to the federal charge, but the judge will decide his final punishment when he is sentenced.

FBI VOWS TO PURSUE CHILD EXPLOITATION CASES

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division said Vijaykumar's guilty plea, entered on Wednesday, marked another step in the US government's efforts to combat child sexual exploitation. Stefanie Roddy, special agent in charge of the FBI's Newark Field Office, said investigators would continue pursuing people involved in exploiting children.

"The FBI will continue its relentless quest to identify and stop those who abuse and exploit children," Roddy said.

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