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NJ Teacher, 'Baby Rapist' Chat Member, Admits To Possessing Child Porn
Jersey City man pleaded guilty in federal court after investigators said they found more than 100 images and 75 videos on his devices; sentencing is scheduled for August 2026.
A former teacher from Jersey City has admitted in federal court to possessing child pornography, according to an announcement from Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello.
Matthew Ozol, 40, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin to a one-count information charging possession of child pornography, federal prosecutors said.
The guilty plea resolves the criminal charge at the trial level and reflects ongoing federal enforcement efforts targeting online child sexual exploitation, with sentencing set for later this year.
What authorities said they found
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ozol’s home in August 2025. Prosecutors said text messages indicated that since 2022, Ozol sent and received messages on encrypted applications expressing a desire to sexually abuse children, including within a chat group (named “Baby Rapist,”) whose title referenced sexual abuse of very young children.
During the search, investigators said they found more than 100 images and 75 videos on Ozol’s electronic devices depicting child pornography, including material involving the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.
The possession charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said. Sentencing is scheduled for August 2026.
Investigation and prosecution
Lamparello credited special agents with Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Specht of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division, prosecutors said.
Federal officials said the case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 that coordinates federal, state, and local resources to investigate and prosecute child sexual exploitation and to identify and rescue victims.
