South Jersey man faces child pornography charges

A South Jersey man is facing charges for allegedly distributing thousands of sexually explicit photographs and videos, including images of young girls being bound and tortured.

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office said 37-year-old Thomas Ballard was taken into custody Monday at his Egg Harbor Township home on charges of distribution of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and tampering with evidence.

Prosecutors allege that he shared more than 3,000 files depicting children being sexually exploited between October and March.

Some of the images show prepubescent girls who were bound, tortured and had knives pointed at them, authorities said.

Law enforcement officials began investigating Ballard in 2010, when he posted frequent comments on a website known to be used by people interested in child pornography, according to prosecutors. He allegedly posted a comment saying he "trades privately," indicating he shared explicit images over email.

Ballard is being held at the Atlantic County jail on $100,000 bail.