Trenton — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced that a state grand jury has charged a sergeant from the Vineland Police Department.
The sergeant, Christopher Ortiz, 39, from Estell Manor, New Jersey, was indicted on three counts after allegedly using his official position to mishandle evidence for personal use, including digital images depicting child sexual abuse from a case the department was investigating. The charges include, endangering the welfare of a child, official misconduct, and tampering with public records.
The indictment alleges that Ortiz, as a sergeant with the Vineland Police Department, obtained evidence containing items showing child sexual exploitation and abuse material from a department case.
He is accused of requesting and obtaining at least 17 items of child sexual exploitation and abuse material for unauthorized use. The grand jury investigation into Ortiz was initiated in March 2023 based on a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
Ortiz has been suspended without pay since March 2023 after being charged by complaint. Attorney General Platkin expressed deep concern over the allegations and emphasized the seriousness of the case. OPIA Executive Director Thomas J. Eicher highlighted the public safety concerns raised when a police officer is accused of possessing such illicit material. Second-degree charges against Ortiz carry a prison sentence of five to 10 years and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree charges could result in three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Defense attorney John Tumelty is representing Ortiz in this case.