Washington Township Man Charged With Possessing Child Pornography

Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 7:35 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ.- Following an ongoing investigation, on Monday, November 25, 2024, a 23-year-old Washington Township man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged with allegedly possessing over 30,000 digital images depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.

     According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, on September 13, 2024, Detectives of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit identified Benjamin P. Ritter, 23, during an internet child pornography investigation.

     The investigation involved a court-authorized search of Ritter’s electronic devices. During the search, Detectives uncovered that Ritter had utilized the Internet to view, download, and possess 31,110 digital images depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of prepubescent and pubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Charge Filed

     Accordingly, at the culmination of the investigation, on Monday, November 25, 2024, Ritter was taken into custody at the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in Paramus, New Jersey, and formally charged with second-degree Possession of Child Pornography. 

     Following being processed on the charge, Ritter was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending future court proceedings in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”