Ridgewood Cop, 3 More From Bergen In Alleged Child Predator Bust

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Four alleged child predators, including a Ridgewood police officer, from Bergen County were arrested in a massive child protection sting called "Operation Home Alone," authorities announced Wednesday.

The operation was a multi-agency undercover operation targeting men who allegedly used social media to try to lure underage boys and girls for sexual activity, a press release from New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal stated.

The people arrested from Bergen County were:

• Peter Tuchol Jr., 28, of Waldwick and a Ridgewood police officer, who believed he was communicating with a 15-year-old girl. He was suspended from his position as a police officer with the Ridgewood Police Department. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (anabolic steroids) (3rd degree), Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug (4th degree), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (hypodermic needles) (4th degree). The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office (BCPO) is prosecuting. (See related: Ridgewood Cop Charged With Attempted Sex Assault: Prosecutor)
• Jose Martinez, 47, of Fairview Martinez is a takeout food delivery driver. He thought he was talking to a 14-year-old boy. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree). BCPO is prosecuting.
• Jason Keizer, 33, of Garfield He thought he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl. He is unemployed. Charges: Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree), Possession of Child Pornography (3rd degree). Keizer is currently awaiting sentencing on a prior child pornography charge filed by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. BCPO is prosecuting.
• Hareshkum Tailor, 55, Garfield He thought he was talking to a 14-year-old girl. Tailor is a driver for a rideshare company. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree). The state Division of Criminal Justice is prosecuting.

Many of the men were arrested at an undercover Bergen County residence where they allegedly thought they would find their victims home alone, according to Grewal.

The undercover residence was staffed with dozens of law enforcement officers and evidence technicians. Attorneys were stationed at the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, according to the release. Electronic devices that were seized from the defendants were previewed at the scene by evidence technicians when defendants gave consent.

Two men are charged with having child pornography on their electronic devices, including one who allegedly had more than 13,000 files of suspected child pornography on his phone, and a second who was already facing sentencing on a prior child pornography charge filed by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, according to the release.

The defendants typically initiated contact based on profiles posted on social media platforms by the undercover detectives and agents. The social platforms that were used in these encounters included Kik, Skout, Grindr, Tinder, MeetMe, and Adam4Adam, according to the release.

Once chatting began, the undercover officers clearly identified themselves as underage girls or boys. Despite that information, the defendants allegedly engaged the purported "children" in conversations about sex and made arrangements to meet the "children" for sex.

"Parents need to be aware of their children's activities on the internet, and if children appear anxious or evasive when this topic is raised, it may be a red flag," said Grewal. "It is critical that parents talk to their children about social media and chat apps to let them know that the people they encounter may not be who they initially seem to be."

For more information about the operation, along with the identities of the other people charged, click here.

With reporting by Tom Davis, Patch staff

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com