March 29, 2016
The owner and operator of a New Jersey-based live streaming service is accused of broadcasting child pornography on his webcasts.
Additionally, prosecutors say Robert J. Ianuale, 32, of Hazlet, tried recruiting people online to sexually assault a woman and broadcast the attack on the Internet.
Through his service — called SwerveCast — Ianuale would let juvenile females engage in sexual acts, making the broadcasts available to paid users, according to authorities.
Users could "tip" with virtual currency that would go to Ianuale, who would distribute portions of the money to the girls in exchange for performing the acts, prosecutors allege.
Ianuale is also accused of holding a broadcast in March 2015 where he — using his online moniker "Fist Pump" — encouraged those watching to sexually assault a 25-year-old New York City woman outside of her work, allegedly offering $100 to anyone who would do it and record the crime.
As of Tuesday evening, the website for SwerveCast was inaccessible. A review of the site's Twitter account found, at least, one tweet in which the company screenshot an Internet comment accusing the service of broadcasting child pornography.
The SwerveCast account responds by saying: "Haha. 'internet watcher' ... Or should we say 'YouNow Watcher' -- mad bro? Keep the false accusations coming stalker!"
Haha. "internet watcher".. Or should we say "YouNow Watcher" - mad bro? Keep the false accusations coming stalker! 😂 pic.twitter.com/D5dC9aF5Wp
— SwerveCast (@SwerveCastApp) January 15, 2016
Prosecutors said there were, at least, two victims in the case — girls from Maryland and Middlesex County, both 14.
Investigators believe there are other victims and ask anyone with information to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective John Sosdian at 732-431-7160 ext. 6592.
Ianuale is charged with endangering the welfare of a child by causing or permitting a child to engage in child pornography, promoting the prostitution of a minor, financial facilitation of criminal activity, luring or enticing an adult and related offenses.
He is being held at Monmouth County Correctional Institution in lieu of $450,000 cash bail. His brother, Philip Ianuale, 30, who lives in the same home, has also been charged with obstructing the administration of law, resisting arrest and drug possession.
