2 NJ State Troopers Indicted On Child Porn Charges

Two suspended New Jersey State Troopers from South Jersey have been indicted on charges that they exchanged sexually explicit images of an underage girl via text message and tried to destroy evidence to impede the investigation, the Attorney General’s Office announced on Friday.

Jeffrey Reitz, 49 of Williamstown, has been indicted on four counts of third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material; two counts of second-degree official misconduct; two counts of second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse material; and fourth-degree attempted tampering with evidence.

Reitz, had been assigned to the New Jersey State Police Commercial Carrier Safety Inspection Unit.

Andrea V. Knox, 36 of Mount Holly, has been indicted on charges of third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material, second-degree official misconduct and fourth-degree attempted tampering with evidence.

In 2019, Reitz was indicted on two counts of third-degree child pornography related to exchanges of text messages with another woman, authorities said. In that instance, the woman sent Reitz a sexually explicit picture of a girl and encouraged him to sexually assault her, authorities said. Read more here: NJ State Trooper Indicted, Plotted To Sexually Assault Girl: AG

Two months later, charges were filed against Knox - a state trooper stationed in Moorestown - after Reitz sent her the sexually explicit image, according to authorities. Knox asked him what sex acts he would like to perform on the girl.

The next day, Reitz sent Knox pictures of people at a nudist location, authorities said. Two of the people were young girls, and their genitals were visible, authorities said.

Knox didn't report receiving the photos "despite her duty as a police officer to uphold and enforce the law," authorities said. Read more here: State Trooper In Moorestown Arrested On Child Porn Charges: Cops

The two are also accused of recently attempting to alter or destroy Reitz’s cell phone in an attempt to impede the investigation, authorities said.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

Fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $10,000.

In addition, the charges of second-degree official misconduct carry a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison without possibility of parole and require forfeiture of public pension upon conviction.