Jacob Brown
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin has announced charges against Christopher Ortiz, a sergeant with the Vineland Police Department, for allegedly misusing his position to retain evidence depicting child sexual abuse for personal use. Ortiz, 39, of Estell Manor, faces multiple charges following a year-long investigation into his conduct.
Charges and Allegations:
Ortiz is accused of endangering the welfare of a child, official misconduct, and tampering with public records. Platkin’s office asserts that Ortiz instructed a subordinate to email him evidence containing at least 17 images of child sexual abuse, exploiting his authority as a law enforcement officer.
Serious Implications:
Platkin emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating that misuse of authority and mishandling of evidence undermine public trust and dishonor the law enforcement profession. The nature of the evidence involved in the case heightens concerns about Ortiz’s actions.
Extent of Alleged Offenses:
According to Platkin’s office, Ortiz had possession, viewed, or controlled at least 100 items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children, further exacerbating the severity of the charges against him.
The Vineland City Solicitor confirmed that Ortiz has been suspended without pay since March 2023, following the initial charges against him. This underscores the Vineland Police Department’s response to address the allegations and uphold accountability.
