New Jersey Man Indicted for Multiple Child Exploitation Offenses

BOSTON - A Cherry Hill, N.J., man previously arrested on state charges for armed home invasion in April 2025, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly sexually exploiting a minor in Massachusetts, as well as travelling across state lines to engage in illicit sexually conduct with the minor victim.

Essam Meawad, 34, was indicted on two counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Meawad was arrested on the state charge in July of 2025 and has remained in state custody since.

On or about August 2024 and November 2024, Meawad allegedly coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. In addition, in August 2024, Meawad allegedly traveled in interstate commerce to engage in illicit contact with the minor.

The charge of sexual exploitation of minors (and attempt and conspiracy) provides for a sentence of no less than 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Chief Roy W. Frost of the Billerica Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, of the Major Crimes Unit and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric L. Hawkins of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the DOJ's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.