New Jersey man sentenced to prison for secretly recording minor

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. -- Joseph J. Stevenson, a 35-year-old man from Burlington City, has been sentenced to four years in state prison for secretly recording an underage female using a hidden camera placed in a bathroom, as announced by the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.

Stevenson pleaded guilty to second-degree endangering the welfare of a child last year. Superior Court Judge Aimee Belgard issued the sentence during a hearing held in Mount Holly.

The case came to light when the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children alerted law enforcement to Stevenson's online behavior, prompting an investigation that included cooperation from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. Specific details are kept confidential to protect the victim’s identity.

The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office took the lead on the investigation, and Stevenson’s case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Steve Eife, who oversees the Special Victims Unit.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address crimes against children and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.