Garfield man arrested in Warren County on child sexual abuse material charge, prosecutor says
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. (Warren County) — A Garfield man was arrested in Warren County after investigators alleged he possessed more than 1,000 files of child sexual abuse material, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced.
Andrew G. Maurer, 37, was taken into custody Thursday, Nov. 20, in Phillipsburg following an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit, conducted under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck.
The case began when the Garfield Police Department notified county investigators that a resident might be in possession of child sexual abuse material. Members of the Cyber Crimes Unit launched an internet-based investigation, which led to a court-authorized search of Maurer’s home in Garfield.
According to prosecutors, the investigation revealed that Maurer used the internet to view, download and possess more than 1,000 digital files depicting nude or sexually explicit prepubescent and pubescent children.
Maurer was charged with second-degree possession of child pornography and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.
“Prosecutor Musella states that the charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” the release said.
Musella thanked the Garfield Police Department, Phillipsburg Police Department, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hasbrouck Heights Police Department, which participates in the Bergen County Cyber Crimes Task Force, for their assistance.
