Old Bridge man admits to producing and possessing child pornography

An Old Bridge man admitted in federal court this week to producing and possessing images and recordings of child pornography as part of a scheme in which he posed as a teenager on Snapchat to manipulate two minor victims.

Daniel Berwick, 39, pleaded guilty Aug. 18 before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court to a three-count information charging him with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, Berwick persuaded and enticed Minor Victim-1 and Minor Victim-2 in August and September 2025 to create and send him photos and video recordings on Snapchat that depicted the minors engaged in sexual activity.

As part of his scheme, Berwick “catfished” his victims by presenting himself as a 17-year-old high school student and using photos and video recordings of an adult content creator as if they were pictures of him.

He eventually threatened to send compromising photos of Minor Victim-1 to her family and high school officials if she did not meet his demands for money or sexual acts.

After searching Berwick’s electronic devices, law enforcement uncovered at least 1,000 images of child pornography, including prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, sexual abuse or exploitation of an infant or toddler, and images portraying sadistic or masochistic conduct.

The investigation began after the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office received a cyber tip from the New Jersey State Police, leading to an investigation by Detective Ken McGarry of the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. Berwick was arrested Jan. 21, 2026, without incident at his home in Old Bridge, according to Old Bridge Police Chief Thomas J. Montagna.

At the time of his arrest, Berwick was charged with first-degree Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material, second-degree Manufacturing of Child Sexual Abuse Material, second-degree Aggravated Sexual Extortion, second-degree Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, third-degree Using Deceptive Audio/Video Files to Further a Crime, and third-degree Distributing Obscene Material to a Child.

The production of child pornography charges each carry a mandatory minimum term of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum term of 30 years imprisonment, as well as a fine of up to $250,000.

The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment — increased from a maximum of 10 years because at least one image associated with the offense includes a prepubescent minor — and a fine of up to $250,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 21, 2026.

U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas. He also thanked the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Linda Estremera, and the Old Bridge Police Department for their assistance.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse .

Berwick’s attorney, Robert C. Scrivo of Mandelbaum Barrett PC, said his client is regretful of his actions . The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.