Local School Employee Faces Charges for Child Sex Abuse Material Possession

Jefferson Township Resident and School Employee Arrested Following CyberTip Investigation

Morris County officials have announced the arrest of Richard Kattermann, 31, of Jefferson Township, on charges related to the possession of Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM). The arrest was the result of collaborative efforts by Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Jefferson Township Chief of Police Paul Castimore.

Kattermann is facing a charge of endangering the welfare of a child for possession of CSAM, classified as a third-degree crime under New Jersey law. The investigation was initiated by a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which pointed to a media file allegedly showing the sexual exploitation or abuse of minors. This file was reportedly uploaded to Discord, a popular online communication platform, by Kattermann, who is also suspected of possessing additional CSAM materials.

At the time of the investigation, Kattermann was employed at Montgomery Academy in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, a school catering to students aged 5 to 21. This detail adds a layer of concern due to his proximity to children.

Following his arrest on February 8, 2024, Kattermann was released under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, with pretrial conditions including supervision and internet monitoring to ensure community safety and prevent further offenses.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office has expressed gratitude towards the Jefferson Township and Bernards Township Police Departments, as well as the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, for their diligent work in the investigation.

The public is urged to come forward with any information that may aid this ongoing investigation by contacting the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It's important to remember that a criminal complaint is an accusation, and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This case underscores the commitment of local law enforcement to protect the most vulnerable in the community from exploitation and abuse.