Alleged porn distributor pleads not guilty in NJ

New Jersey - The Associated Press

AFP photo

A Ukrainian man has pleaded not guilty in federal court in New Jersey to charges of operating a network of child pornography websites.

A court-appointed attorney for Maksym Shynkarenko (max-SEEM' shank-ah-RANK'-oh) entered the plea for him Wednesday.

The 33-year-old faces 32 counts for allegedly operating numerous Ukraine-based hardcore child porn sites and selling access to clients worldwide. He was extradited to New Jersey because federal prosecutors discovered the websites on a computer there.

Prosecutors say 560 U.S.-based customers have been convicted in the case.

New Jersey's U.S. attorney calls Shynkarenko the most significant distributor of child porn ever prosecuted in the U.S.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says it has found no evidence he committed a crime.

Shynkarenko remains in federal custody. Bail has not been requested.