Linden religious teacher admits to sexually abusing children

NJ Today
October 26, 2015

http://njtoday.net/2015/10/26/linden-religious-teacher-admits-to-sexually-abusing-children/

Gregory J. Aker

NEWARK – A Linden man who was a leader in a boys’ youth organization and a religious education teacher admitted to sexually abusing children and possessing images of child sexual abuse.

Gregory J. Aker, 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan G. Wigenton in Newark federal court to an information charging him with possession of child pornography. He is currently in state custody.

According to U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman, the documents filed and statements made in court:

Aker was a leader with a boys’ youth organization and a religious education teacher with his church. On Feb. 22, 2014, Aker was arrested by the Linden Police Department for sexual assault and endangering the welfare of two minor children.

After his arrest, law enforcement obtained multiple computers and electronic storage media from Aker’s residence.

Aker admitted that the devices belonged to him and contained more than 600 images and dozens of videos of child sexual abuse that he knowingly collected. Aker also admitted sexually abusing more than one child who was known to him on more than one occasion.

The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Aker will be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2016.

Fishman credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel in Newark, the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and the Linden Police Department with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Alfonzo Walsman of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel was Jeffrey Hark Esq., of Cherry Hill.