NJ Man Accused of Sexually Exploiting Young Family Member

Federal prosecutors say a New Jersey man coerced a juvenile family member to engage in sexually explicit conduct while he photographed it.

Felix Restitullo is charged with sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography. The 40-year-old Jersey City man made his initial court appearance Thursday and faces up to 50 years in prison if he's convicted on both counts.

Prosecutors say Restitullo lived with his mother, who acted as caregiver to children, including the alleged victim.

Investigators had interviewed the girl in March 2014, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged child sexual abuse. She told them Restitullo had engaged her in sexual acts on prior occasions, which he photographed.

Restitullo was arrested a short time later by Hudson County authorities, who charged him with aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment.

After the arrest, authorities seized a camera, multiple computers and electronic storage media belonging to Restitullo from his bedroom. About 13 images of child porn, believed to be images of the girl's sexual assault, were found on the storage device. The discovery led to the more recent charges against Restitullo.

Overall, officers allegedly found more than 1,500 images and 200 videos of child porn.

Restitullo's attorney has declined comment on the charges.