A New Jersey grand jury has declined to file criminal charges against a Guttenberg police officer following a 2024 foot pursuit that ended when a 26-year-old Texas man fell 68 feet to his death. Authorities released body-worn camera footage and investigative details alongside the decision.
- A New Jersey grand jury voted “no bill” on March 23, 2026, declining to file criminal charges against Guttenberg Police Officer Brandon Sauerwald in the death of Brandon Lee Ortega, 26, of Mexia, Texas.
- Ortega ran from police, attempted to carjack a vehicle, climbed over a railing along JFK Boulevard East, and fell about 68 feet, where he was pronounced dead at the scene on Nov. 12, 2024.
- The investigation reviewed 911 calls, witness interviews, police radio transmissions, body-camera footage, surveillance video, photographs, and autopsy results, and Ortega’s family viewed the recordings before their public release.
Grand Jury Decision
The civilian who died during the incident was Brandon Lee Ortega, 26, of Mexia, Texas, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. The officer involved in the pursuit was identified as Guttenberg Police Officer Brandon Sauerwald, whose name was released about 10 days after the incident, as previously reported.
After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, the state grand jury concluded its deliberations on March 23, 2026, and voted “no bill,” meaning no criminal charges will be filed against Sauerwald.
The Attorney General’s Office said the grand jury vote ends the criminal review of the incident.
Investigation Under State Directive
The death investigation was handled by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) under New Jersey’s Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019, which requires the Attorney General’s Office to investigate deaths involving police encounters.
Investigators gathered and reviewed evidence that included witness interviews and statements, 911 calls, police radio transmissions, body-worn camera footage, surveillance video, photographs, and autopsy results. This material was presented to residents serving on the state grand jury.
Disturbance Call On November 12, 2024
The events began on November 12, 2024, at about 11:02 p.m., when officers from the Guttenberg Police Department responded to the area of 68th Street and Bellevue Avenue after a 911 call reported a disturbance.
At the scene, officers Sauerwald and Detective Jaber Jaber spoke with a property owner who said he had rented a room to a woman from California who never checked in.
Instead, two men and one woman with a dog attempted to enter the property.
When the owner refused entry, an argument followed, and investigators said one of the men — later identified as Ortega — displayed a blue firearm.
Officers received descriptions of the individuals and began canvassing the area.
Foot Chase Along JFK Boulevard East
Officer Sauerwald later located Ortega near 7000 John F. Kennedy Boulevard East.
Police said Ortega ran from Sauerwald, beginning a brief foot pursuit.
During the chase, Ortega attempted to carjack a vehicle, according to investigators. The attempt failed, and authorities said the driver of the vehicle then chased Ortega while Sauerwald continued the pursuit.
As Sauerwald closed in, investigators said Ortega climbed over a railing along JFK Boulevard overlooking the Palisades.
Fatal 68-Foot Fall
Ortega then fell approximately 68 feet, authorities said.
Fire department and emergency medical services personnel responded to the scene, where Ortega was pronounced dead.
Investigators recovered a firearm with a black grip and metallic blue coloring from Ortega.
Authorities said footage of the fall itself has not been released.
Body Camera And Video Evidence Released
When the grand jury decision was announced, the Attorney General’s Office also released body-worn camera footage from the Nov. 12, 2024, incident.
The video shows officers pursuing Ortega before realizing he had gone over the railing along JFK Boulevard overlooking the Palisades.
Officials said the recordings, along with surveillance footage and 911 calls, were released under Attorney General policies on transparency in fatal police encounters.
Investigators also gave representatives of Ortega’s family an opportunity to review the recordings before their public release.
