On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello announced that Matthew Ozol, 40, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Evelyn Padin to one count of possession of child pornography. Ozol had been charged in August. Sentencing is scheduled for August 2026, and the charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
- Matthew Ozol, a 40-year-old former Westfield High School teacher, pleaded guilty in federal court after investigators found more than 100 images and 75 videos of child pornography on devices seized from his Jersey City home.
- Ocean County resident Edward Lynch was sentenced to 10 years in prison for distributing over 1,000 files of child sexual abuse material through Telegram, Session, and Wickr Me, and must register under Megan’s Law with parole supervision for life.
- Multiple New Jersey educators across Morris, Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer, and Gloucester counties have pleaded guilty, been sentenced, or remain jailed on charges ranging from sexual assault of students to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Search Warrant and Evidence Seized
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ozol’s home in August 2025. On Aug. 5, 2025, investigators seized an iPhone, a laptop, a USB storage device, and an external hard drive.
A forensic review uncovered more than 100 images and 75 videos depicting child pornography, including many involving the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.
Authorities determined that beginning in 2022, Ozol sent and received messages on encrypted applications expressing a desire to sexually abuse children, including in a chat group titled “Baby Rapist.” Ozol resigned from his position as a math teacher at Westfield High School in June 2022.
Investigation and Federal Initiative
Lamparello credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy, with leading the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Specht of the Special Prosecutions Division.
The case was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) within the Criminal Division and coordinates federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. More information is available at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Ocean County Distribution Case
In Ocean County, 53-year-old Edward Lynch was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said Lynch distributed more than 1,000 videos and photos using Telegram, Session, and Wickr Me.
Lynch was first arrested in 2023 and, in 2024, faced the charge to which he pleaded guilty. He appeared in Ocean County Superior Court on Wednesday for sentencing. In addition to prison, he must register under Megan’s Law and will be under parole supervision for life.
Other Educators Facing Charges
In Morris County, William J. Arnold of Wayne admitted to sexually assaulting a teenage student over an 18-month period. Charged in September with aggravated sexual assault and other offenses, he pleaded guilty on Nov. 17 to sexual assault by a supervisor of a victim older than 16. He was scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 20 before Morris County Superior Court Judge Robert Hanna. Prosecutors said they would recommend seven years in prison. Arnold would also be required to register under Megan’s Law, permanently forfeit his teaching license, have no contact with the victim, and remain under parole supervision for life.
Justin McGhee, 35, of Ocean Township, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a student at Middletown High School North, where he coached the girls’ basketball team for eight years. Authorities said that beginning in 2024, McGhee engaged in sexual acts with a victim younger than 18. He was arrested in January 2025 and charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. In November 2025, he pleaded guilty to sexual assault by a supervisor of a victim older than 16 and was expected to face at least five years in prison at sentencing on Feb. 20.
James Wiegand of Sparta, a Morris County high school teacher and longtime multi-level soccer coach, was arrested in March 2025 after being accused of sending sexual and suggestive messages to a 14-year-old student. On Jan. 21, he pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and sexual conduct with a child by a caretaker. Sentencing was scheduled for Feb. 27.
Darnell Williams of Manchester Township was first arrested in August 2025. Authorities alleged he sexually assaulted three female victims while working as a school supervisor in the Hamilton Township School District in Mays Landing. The accusations later expanded to involve at least five young girls over several years in Ocean County. Williams has remained in Atlantic County jail.
Lorri A. Willis, 45, of Hackettstown, has been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and luring. Police said that between June 2024 and October 2025, she sent sexual and suggestive text messages to a 13-year-old former student.
Mark Paulino, 64, of Hamilton, a retired teacher who also worked as a Santa for hire, was arrested in December after the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office received a tip from State Police. He faces second-degree charges of possession with intent to distribute child sexual abuse material and distribution of child sexual abuse material, along with third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material and endangering the welfare of a child.
James Adams of Washington Township was arrested and charged in June 2025. At the time, he was suspended from his position as a third-grade teacher at Dr. William Mennies Elementary School in Vineland. Authorities accused Adams of persuading a 14-year-old girl in South America to create sexual videos. He faces charges of child endangerment and possession of child sexual abuse materials.
Julie Rizzitello of Brick Township was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in Monmouth County Superior Court to two counts of second-degree sexual assault. She admitted to sexually assaulting two male students while employed as a teacher at Wall Township High School. Authorities said the assaults occurred at her Brick home, in a vehicle in a Wall Township parking lot, and at a Belmar bagel shop owned by her family. Officials stated that she later contacted both victims and asked them to delete electronic evidence. Rizzitello appeared before Superior Court Judge Jill G. O’Malley on Wednesday and must register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.
