A suspended Morris County police officer has pleaded guilty to distributing child porn, according to the county prosecutor’s office.
Anthony Kelly, 37, of the Ledgewood section of Roxbury, entered his plea June 16 to one count of second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse material before Morris County Judge Ralph Amirata. The state has agreed to recommend a seven-year prison sentence, the prosecutor said in a press release.
The investigation began in late 2024 after six CyberTips generated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were sent to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. The tips detailed the distribution of more than 100 items of child sexual abuse material from an account on Kik, an instant messaging application, between July and October 2024.
Investigators revealed the account belonged to Kelly, who was charged on Nov. 26. He is currently suspended without pay from the Dover Police Department.
Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney, in a statement to the Daily Record, said Kelly’s arrest “appears to be an isolated incident and does not reflect the values, professionalism, or character of the hardworking men and women of the Dover Police Department.” He added that he remains committed to upholding the high standards throughout the department.
“We will continue to cooperate fully with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as this matter proceeds through the appropriate legal channels,” Delaney said. “In the meantime, I want to reaffirm my confidence in the dedicated officers of this department who serve with honor, courage, and a deep commitment to public safety.”
In addition to the seven-year recommended prison sentence, Kelly will be required to register pursuant to Megan’s Law upon his release, the prosecutor’s office said. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Amirata July 18.
Hellbound and Down 