Owner of Plato's Closet in Roxbury Twp Faces Charges for Child Pornography Production

Nicholas Zirpoli, owner of Plato's Closet in Roxbury Township, is accused of recording employees in the restroom, escalating previous privacy invasion charges.

In a significant development, Morris County authorities have disclosed the arrest of Nicholas Zirpoli, a 35-year-old Lincoln Park resident and business owner, on grave charges including the manufacture of child pornography. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Investigations Robert McNally, and Roxbury Township Police Department Chief Dean Adone made the announcement, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations against Zirpoli, who operates Plato’s Closet in Roxbury Township, New Jersey.

The charges stem from an incident around February 26, 2023, where Zirpoli is alleged to have clandestinely recorded both male and female employees using the restroom facilities at his business establishment, further accused of destroying evidence related to these recordings. This recent development follows Zirpoli's prior charges in December 2023, encompassing nine counts of Invasion of Privacy and one count of Tampering with Evidence, painting a concerning pattern of behavior.

The current charges against Zirpoli are extensive and severe, including one count of Manufacturing Child Pornography, a first-degree crime; one count of Filming a Child in a Prohibited Sexual Act, a second-degree crime; one count of Possession of Child Pornography, and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, both third-degree crimes; alongside ten counts of Invasion of Privacy and one count of Tampering with Evidence.

Following his arrest, Zirpoli was detained at the Morris County Correctional Facility and subsequently released on pre-trial monitoring conditions on February 8, 2024, under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Reform Act.

The investigation, a collaborative effort by the Roxbury Township Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, underscores the commitment of local law enforcement to addressing and rooting out such exploitative crimes within the community.

Authorities urge anyone with information related to this case or any similar incidents to contact the Roxbury Township Police Department at 973-448-2100 or the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200, as the investigation continues.

It is important to remember that a criminal complaint is not indicative of guilt. Nicholas Zirpoli, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt. This case serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance required in protecting vulnerable individuals and maintaining the integrity of our workplaces and communities.