Second Montclair State student charged with child sexual abuse offense this week

A Montclair State University student has been arrested and charged with distributing images of child sexual abuse, the second Montclair State student charged with a child sexual abuse offense this week.

Sean Lynch, 21, of Summit, is charged with one count of distribution of child pornography. 

Lynch appeared Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in U.S. Federal Court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond, with home detention and electronic monitoring, according to a release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey.

Between Nov. 9 and Nov. 14, 2022, Lynch allegedly used an instant messaging mobile app to distribute 72 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, the release says.

An investigation of Lynch’s Montclair State dorm found an iPhone, which law enforcement confirmed was the phone used to access the mobile app, according to the criminal complaint.

Lynch waived his Miranda rights and made a recorded statement saying he used the app on the iPhone to distribute the videos of child pornography, the complaint says.

The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

On May 8, Keyon Luff, a 21-year-old junior at Montclair State, was charged with allegedly possessing and creating “child sexual abuse and exploitation material,” the result of an investigation led by the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Cybercrime Bureau and Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce.

"The alleged behaviors are nothing short of abhorrent, and do not align with the mission and values of Montclair State University," Andrew Mees, Montclair State’s media relations director, said Wednesday.