A Cumberland County, New Jersey, grand jury has indicted Police Sergeant Christopher Ortiz, 39, on charges of official misconduct, endangering the welfare of a child, and tampering with public records. The indictment alleges that Ortiz, while serving as a sergeant at the Vineland Police Department, requested that another officer email him 17 photographs depicting child sexual abuse that were being held as evidence in a criminal case.
During their investigation, members of the Attorney General’s office also discovered that Ortiz possessed at least 100 media files containing child sexual abuse or exploitation material.
‘The allegations in this indictment are profoundly disturbing,’ said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. ‘Whenever an officer is accused of abusing their authority and misappropriating evidence, it brings dishonor to the profession and betrays the public’s trust. Given the nature of the evidence involved in this case, it is especially alarming.’
The investigation into Ortiz’s activities commenced in March 2022 in response to a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce. He was subsequently charged and placed on unpaid suspension from the police department. Public pension records indicate that Ortiz’s most recent annual salary was $109,102. As of the time of reporting, his attorney, John W. Tumelty, had not responded to a request for comment.
