December 20, 2022
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on December 19, 2022, Joseph D. Tuzzio, Jr., 42, of Jackson Township, was charged with Possession of Child Pornography and three counts of Distribution of Child Pornography.
This investigation was the result of three referrals from the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The ICAC Task Force detected that an individual was uploading images of child pornography to the internet using the Kik Messenger App. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit identified a Kik Messenger user with a Jackson Township address as the individual uploading the images of child pornography; that individual was ultimately identified as Tuzzio.
On October 27, 2022, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security-Investigations Unit, and Jackson Township Police Department, executed a court-authorized search warrant on Tuzzio’s residence in Jackson Township. As a result of the warrant, Detectives seized two cell phones and a laptop computer. A forensic examination of the electronic devices by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit led to the discovery of more than 500 images of Child Pornography on the laptop. Additionally, Detectives issued a Communication Data Warrant to KIK for Tuzzio’s most recently utilized KIK subscriber account. KIK provided logs showing Tuzzio’s account as both receiving and distributing videos of child pornography. The IP address associated with the child pornography activity was assigned to Tuzzio’s place of employment in Jackson.
On December 19, 2022, Tuzzio, accompanied by his attorney, surrendered himself at Jackson Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail. He was subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security-Investigations Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, and New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Tuzzio’s arrest.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).