Two New Jersey Men Admit to Sharing Child Sex Abuse Images

A former teacher faces up to 20 years in prison, while an Ocean County man was sentenced to 10 years.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Two New Jersey men have admitted to keeping large collections of child sexual abuse materials. An Ocean County man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for distributing over 1,000 items of child sexual abuse material using messaging apps. A former Westfield High School teacher pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing child pornography, including images and videos involving the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.

Why it matters

These cases highlight the ongoing fight against child exploitation and the troubling trend of using online messaging apps to share and store child sexual abuse material. They underscore the need for continued vigilance and law enforcement efforts to protect vulnerable children in our communities.

The details

In the Ocean County case, 53-year-old Edward Lynch shared more than 1,000 items of child sexual abuse material using apps like Telegram, Session, and Wickr Me. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In the federal case, 40-year-old Matthew Ozol, a former math teacher at Westfield High School, pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography, including images and videos involving the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers. Ozol faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced.

  • In 2023, Edward Lynch was first arrested.
  • In 2024, Edward Lynch faced the charge to which he pleaded guilty.
  • In June 2022, Matthew Ozol resigned from his teaching position at Westfield High School.
  • On August 5, 2025, law enforcement seized Ozol's electronic devices, which contained over 100 images and 75 videos of child pornography.

The players

Edward Lynch

A 53-year-old man from Toms River, Ocean County, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for distributing child sexual abuse material.

Matthew Ozol

A 40-year-old former math teacher at Westfield High School who pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing child pornography, including images and videos involving the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

These cases highlight the ongoing battle against child exploitation and the need for continued vigilance and law enforcement efforts to protect vulnerable children in our communities. They also underscore the troubling trend of using online messaging apps to share and store child sexual abuse material, which requires a comprehensive response to address this complex issue.