Teacher With Child Porn: School District Reacts After Former Westfield Employee Found Guilty

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools has spoken out after a former teacher in the district was caught with child pornography.

Matthew Ozol, a former teacher at Westfield High School, admitted to having explicit images of minors after more than 150 files were uncovered, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey.

He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography after encrypted messages were found dating back to 2022 that showed a desire to sexually abuse children, authorities said.

"This individual was a former district employee who resigned from their position in June 2022," Dr. Raymond Gonzalez, Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools, said. "While this matter does not involve our district or any of our students...the safety and well-being of our students is, and always will be, our highest priority."

Ozol had been a math teacher at the High School prior to his resignation.

"Our district conducts thorough background checks for all employees, and we consistently review and strengthen our protocols to ensure a safe and secure environment for all," Gonzalez added.

In August 2025, authorities carried out a search warrant at Ozol's home and were able to find more than 100 photos and 75 videos on his devices that showed child pornography. Many of these files involved sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.

According to the Attorney's Office, one chat he was a part of was titled "Baby Rapist."

Ozol is scheduled to be sentenced in August. He faces a maximum of 20 years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

The case was part of the Department of Justice's "Project Safe Childhood," a nationwide effort to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Additional information about the program can be found by visiting the DOJ website.

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