The latest announcement from the Office of the Attorney General showed that the possession and distribution of child pornography is still a pressing issue in New Jersey.

Operation Ever Vigilant took down 25 alleged offenders during the month of February, close to a year since Operation Watchdog nabbed 27 men and women. Each suspect involved in Wednesday's announcement was allegedly in possession of multiple sexually explicit videos of young children, which they had made available to others.

Attorney General Jeff Chiesa
Attorney General Jeff Chiesa announces the results of Operation Ever Vigilant (Townsquare Media)
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"Anyone who believes that this is a victimless crime simply doesn't understand," Chiesa said. "I won't mince words. The videos we're talking about are largely the rape of young children."

He said the demand continues for this disturbing material, and as long as it continues, so does the torture of the children involved.

"The penalties and the efforts that we're making are all designed to deter (producing child pornography)," explained Chiesa. "If we deter it effectively, we're going to reduce the demand for it, and we're going to see less kids tortured in the way that we've seen on these videos."

Chiesa admitted that announcing a takedown each year won't stop the problem completely, but he believes these operations are making a difference.

"I've got to believe that people are listening," he continued. "As they see these types of people filling jails, that's information that's going to get around that community."

Chiesa vowed to use every state resource possible to combat the manufacturing, possession and distribution of child porn.

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