NEWARK, NJ — Christian Stefan Walther, a 39-year-old man from Erfurt, Germany, pleaded guilty to charges related to his intent to engage in illicit sexual acts with minors in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court, with Walther facing one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
The case against Walther, which has been under investigation since January 2023, involved extensive communication between him and two undercover officers. Through emails, phone calls, and encrypted messaging, Walther expressed his desire for sexual encounters with young children, specifically targeting ages 8 to 12.
During the investigation, he sent two videos to an undercover officer, each depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Walther’s arrest followed his travel from Germany to New Jersey on March 23, 2023. He arrived intending to meet the undercover officers and proceed to what he believed would be a sexual encounter with children at a hotel.
The charge of interstate travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct carries a severe penalty. Walther faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for April 10, 2024. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect minors from exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice.