Joint Base Airman Admits to Soliciting Sexual Videos From Children

Christian Keilberg pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography charges after communicating with minors online.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A 34-year-old U.S. Air Force airman stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography charges. Christian Keilberg admitted to using online chat apps and social media to communicate with children, exchange sexually explicit messages, and solicit them to send images and videos of themselves engaging in sexual conduct, which they did. A search of Keilberg's electronic devices found over 600 images of child pornography, including of minors between 12 and 15 years old.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious issue of online child exploitation and the need for heightened vigilance and enforcement to protect vulnerable minors from predatory behavior, especially when perpetrated by those in positions of trust and authority like active-duty military personnel.

The details

From November 2020 through November 2022, while Keilberg was an enlisted active-duty airman working at the Joint Base, he used online chat applications and social media to communicate with children located in and outside New Jersey. He exchanged sexually explicit messages with the children and asked them to send him images and videos of themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct, which they did. A search of Keilberg's electronic devices found in his on-base housing revealed additional videos and images of child pornography.

  • Keilberg pleaded guilty on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Keilberg's sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026.

The players

Christian Keilberg

A 34-year-old U.S. Air Force airman who was stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography charges.

U.S. Attorney's Office

The federal prosecutorial office that brought the charges against Keilberg.

U.S. District Court Judge Georgette Castner

The judge presiding over Keilberg's case in Trenton, New Jersey.

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What’s next

Keilberg's sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, where he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, as well as a $250,000 fine.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical importance of robust online safety measures, comprehensive training for military personnel, and strong law enforcement collaboration to identify and prosecute those who seek to exploit children, even in positions of trust and authority.