Bucks County Cop Charged With Child Porn Possession

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — A Montgomery County resident and Bucks County police officer faces criminal charges after authorities found a child porn cache in his home, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.

Matthew Reiss, 47, of Upper Hanover Township, serves as an officer with the Hilltown Township Police Department in Bucks County, authorities said.

A criminal investigation began on April 16 when local detectives received an online tip regarding images of child sexual abuse linked to a Google email account in the county. Police were able to trace the IP address and phone number associated with the account back to Reiss, the DA's office said.

Police obtained a warrant to search Reiss' home and uncovered 660 images, 10 of which depicted children under the age of 13 being sexually assaulted or in sexual poses, authorities said.

Investigators said they "found no connection" between the child pornography and Reiss' job as a police officer.

He has been placed on administrative leave.

He was charged with 10 counts of possessing child pornography. He posted $75,000 bail and was released.

A preliminary hearing is set for June 7.

Following the news of Reiss' arrest, Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub released the following statement:

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has cooperated and worked with Montgomery County authorities since being made aware of the investigation into Matthew Reiss. This office protects all victims, even when the accused perpetrator is an officer of the law. We will evaluate all Bucks County criminal cases in which Reiss played role.

Hilltown Township Police Chief Chris Engelhart released this statement:

On May 25, 2021, the Hilltown Township Police Department was advised that Officer Matthew Reiss, an 18-year veteran of the Police Department, was arrested by the Montgomery County Bureau of Detectives on charges of Child Pornography. We were angered and shocked at the allegations and are fully cooperating with the investigation. These acts, if true, would be a betrayal of his oath as a Police Officer, the public trust and the trust of his fellow Officers. Officer Reiss has been placed on unpaid Administrative Suspension pending an internal investigation.

Patch reporter Justin Heinze contributed reporting.