FBI Arrests Another School Bus Driver on Child Pornography Charges

FBI Newark Division
Special Agent Barbara Woodruff
April 7, 2009

NEWARK, NJ—Special Agent In Charge Weysan Dun announced the arrest of James L. Artfitch, age 51, of 240 South Main Street, Manville, New Jersey, on charges of possession of child pornography. Artfitch, a full-time mechanic at the Somerset County Vehicle Maintenance Department where he was arrested, is also employed as a part-time school bus driver.

This case began when an ongoing investigation developed information that an email account registered to the defendant had been used to send images of child pornography over the internet.

In March of 2008, investigators approached Artfitch at which time, he consented to a search of his computer hard drive. Careful forensic examination of the hard drive revealed in excess of 500 images of what appears to be child pornography as evidenced by pre-pubescent girls engaged in sexual acts. Those images were run through the Victim Identification Program Database at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The NCMEC was able to verify that at least 13 of the images found on Artfitch’s computer hard drive matched known images of known child victims. However, it should be noted that to date the investigation has not yielded any information suggesting Artfitch, himself, was engaged in sexual acts with children or that he produced images of child pornography.

Dun said, “This case was a long-time in the making due to the sensitive links to other cases, but I’m happy to report that because of our persistence and perseverance, another individual involved with child pornography has been apprehended. I should also make it clear that this case is in no way related to the arrest of William Murphy, another school bus driver, which occurred on March 27, 2009. However, our experience has shown that it is often not coincidence but rather intent that such individuals seek activities which put them in direct contact with children. We encourage all parents and child care professionals to be cognizant of the signs of abuse, to not be timid in questioning those signs if they are present, and most importantly, to communicate with your children to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate physical contacts and how to handle an inappropriate contact if one should occur.”

Artfitch appeared for an initial appearance today before the Honorable Madeline Cox Arleo, United States Magistrate Judge, and was released on bond. If convicted, Artfitch faces up to ten years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is ongoing.

Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun is grateful to the Newark FBI agents of the Innocent Images group, the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory, as well as the Manville Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance. The public is encouraged to research cyber crime on FBI.gov. As always, anyone with information about a possible federal crime is encouraged to call the FBI at (973) 792-3020. Anyone with information about crimes occurring online should visit www.ic3.gov to report them.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randal Cook in the District of New Jersey.