Morristown public works superintendent charged in child porn sting

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Morristown’s public works superintendent, Charles E. Jones, has been charged with 26 others in a child pornography sweep dubbed “Operation Watchdog” by the New Jersey State Police.

Jones, 50, was arrested on April 9 and charged with distribution and possession of child pornography, and released on his own recognizance, according to State Police.

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty said he could only “confirm that one employee was arrested. They have not given us any charges yet.”

Charles Jones, Morristown DPW superintendent, has been charged in 'Operation Watchdog' by the State Police. Photo: NJ State Police
Charles Jones, Morristown DPW superintendent, has been charged in 'Operation Watchdog' by the State Police. Photo: NJ State Police

Detectives traced images and videos downloaded or distributed across the internet for Operation Watchdog.

“These pictures are able to be traced in a number of ways, including their digital fingerprint, as they are passed through cyberspace.  Detectives then follow the file transfers to their origin and destination locations.  Peer to Peer, or P2P, file sharing networks play a significant role in the distribution of child porn.  Detectives, often with intricate undercover identities in the cyber-world, also monitor searches of these sites to develop suspects,” said a statement from the State Police.

More than 100 State Troopers, agents, detectives and officers from 21 law enforcement agencies cooperated with the  Digital Technology Investigations Unit of New Jersey State Police in Operation Watchdog. From April 9 to April 13,   search warrants were executed in 26 towns across the state.

State Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said he aims to “banish the misguided notion” that viewing and sharing child porn is a victimless crime.

“The vulnerable children who are tortured and degraded to create these vile materials are re-victimized every time another person views the images.  Moreover, these offenders generate the demand that motivates suppliers to produce these odious images,” he said.

“Those who thought they could hide their child porn crimes in the secrecy of their homes have been exposed by the relentless work of law enforcement working together,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We will continue to stand together—as the name Operation Watchdog implies—as guardians to protect children from those who would make them sexual victims.”

Charlie Jones was one of the unsung heroes of the October Nor’easter; he and his crews worked long hours clearing downed trees all over Morristown.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the State Police said. The charges are indictable offenses and will be presented to a grand jury.

Note: An earlier version of this story said 28 people were arrested. The State Police later revised their total to 27.

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