TRENTON — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced today that a state grand jury has voted to charge a sergeant with the Vineland Police Department, after he allegedly used his official position to mishandle evidence for personal use — namely, digital images depicting child sexual abuse from a case the department was investigating.

The state grand jury voted to indict Christopher Ortiz, 39, of Estell Manor, New Jersey, following a roughly year-long joint investigation by OPIA and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. Ortiz was indicted on three counts:

• Endangering the welfare of a child, by possessing child sexual exploitation/abuse material (CSAM), 100 or more items (3rd degree)
• Official misconduct (2nd degree)
• Tampering with public records (3rd degree)

The investigation was launched in March 2023 based on a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

The indictment alleges Ortiz used his official position as a sergeant with the Vineland Police Department to obtain evidence containing more than a dozen items showing child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSAM), associated with a Vineland Police Department case.

It is alleged that Ortiz requested from a subordinate and obtained via email at least 17 items of CSAM associated with that investigation for unauthorized use.

The indictment further alleges that Ortiz possessed, viewed, or had under his control at least 100 items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children.

The Vineland City Solicitor has confirmed Ortiz has been suspended without pay since March 2023, after he was charged by complaint.

“The allegations in this indictment are deeply troubling,” Attorney General Platkin said. “Any time an officer allegedly abuses his position and misappropriates evidence, it’s a dishonor to the profession and a betrayal of the community’s trust. Given the nature of the evidence involved in this case, it is particularly disturbing.”

“Possessing this type of material is a crime, and when the suspect is a police officer, it raises serious public safety concerns,” said OPIA Executive Director Thomas J. Eicher. “My office is committed to ensuring that police officers protect and serve our residents, and abide by the laws they enforce.”

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in New Jersey state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

The case is being prosecuted by OPIA Deputy Attorney General Niccole L. Sandora and Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Remy of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the supervision of OPIA Corruption Bureau Deputy Chief Jeffrey J. Manis and OPIA Executive Director Eicher.

Defense attorney:
John Tumelty, Esq., Marmora, New Jersey