South Jersey Cop Obtained Child Porn By Misusing His Authority: AG

VINELAND, NJ — A South Jersey police officer misused his authority to obtain child pornography that his agency was investigating, a grand jury determined.

A state grand jury voted to indict Vineland Police Sgt. Christopher Ortiz, authorities announced Wednesday. Ortiz was initially charged in March 2023 and suspended without pay thereafter.

Ortiz obtained 17 images that depicted child sexual abuse for unauthorized use, according to the state Office of the Attorney General (OAG). He used his official capacity as an sergeant to request the files from a subordinate, authorities said.

Overall, Ortiz possessed or viewed at least 100 items showing the sexual exploitation or abuse of children, according to the indictment.

Ortiz, 39, of Estell Manor, was indicted on the following charges:

• endangering the welfare of a child, by possessing 100 or more items containing child sexual exploitation/abuse material (third-degree)
• official misconduct (second-degree)
• tampering with public records (third-degree)

The state grand jury convened after a year-long investigation from the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and the OAG's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.

If convicted, second-degree charges carry prison sentences of 5 to 10 years and a maximum fine of $150,000. Convictions for third-degree offenses are punishable by three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.