Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of JACOB L. GORTON, 26, of Salisbury, VT, on the charge of production of child sexual abuse material. The arrest is the result of a months-long investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck.
In March 2024, the Paramus Police Department contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit regarding an alleged incident involving a juvenile who was engaged online by an unknown person on social media. An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Paramus Police Department revealed that the unknown social media user engaged in sexual conversations with the juvenile, instructing the child to expose himself on camera and send nude photos of his intimate parts.
A months-long investigation by detectives was initiated to trace the account used to communicate with the victim. Detectives ultimately determined that the account belonged to JACOB L. GORTON, a resident of Salisbury, VT. As a result of the investigation, on Friday, September 6, 2024, GORTON was charged with first-degree production of child pornography, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(b)3.
On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit travelled to Salisbury, VT and executed a search warrant at JACOB L. GORTON’s residence with the coordination and assistance of the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, the Vermont State Police, U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Middlebury, VT Police Department. GORTON was located and arrested at his residence pursuant to the charge filed in Bergen County, NJ and brought before the Addison County, VT Superior Court. Following his first appearance, GORTON was released by the Court pending a subsequent hearing that will take place on October 7, 2024 in Addison County. At that time, authorities in Vermont will seek GORTON’s extradition to Bergen County, New Jersey.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charge is merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella thanks the Paramus Police Department for its assistance with this investigation, as well as the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, Vermont State Police, U.S. Department of Homeland Security – HSI, and the Middlebury, VT Police Department for their assistance in the apprehension of the defendant.