By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Somerset County announced the arrest of Matthew Serwedes, 48, in Hillsborough, in relation to the possession and distribution of Explicit Materials Involving a Minor in the Township of Hillsborough.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald stated that the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force notified the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office of a Cyber Tipline Report concerning the possession and distribution of files depicting the Explicit Materials Involving Minors via a social media and messaging platform.
Upon receiving this Cyber Tipline Report, an investigation was initiated by detectives assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, according to SCPO officials.
Somerset County authorities said that the investigation led to the identification of Matthew Serwedes as the suspect responsible for uploading and distributing the files depicting the Explicit Materials Involving a Minor via the social media and messaging platform.
Prosecutor McDonald stated on Tuesday, February 25, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit detectives, along with members of the Hillsborough Township Police Department, executed a Superior Court search warrant at Serwedes’ residence.
As a result of the search warrant, SCPO officials say electronic devices were seized for further forensic analysis.
According to Somerset County officials, on Tuesday, February 25, Matthew Serwedes was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Defendant Serwedes was charged with 2nd-degree Distribution of Explicit Materials Involving a Minor and 3rd-degree Possession of Explicit Materials Involving a Minor, Somerset County authorities stated.
Somerset Couty officials said that defendant Serwedes was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing on this matter.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that detectives determined that defendant Matthew Serwedes is currently employed as a middle school teacher in Clark.
A preliminary investigation has not revealed any threats or concerns to Serwedes’ students.
The investigation remains ongoing by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Unit, SCPO officials stated.