the staff of the Ridgewod blog
Lodi NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of MATTHEW J. BOLGER, JR. (DOB: 12/20/1972; single; and self-employed as an insurance adjuster) of 11 Long Valley Road, Lodi, New Jersey on charges of Stalking, Impersonation, and Cyber-Harassment. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and members of the Garfield Police Department under the direction of Chief Raymond Kovach.
On Friday, March 22, 2019, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at the residence of Matthew J. BOLGER, Jr. in connection with an investigation into a pattern of fictitious social media accounts on dating and romance websites/applications in the likeness of an 18-year-old victim. The investigation revealed that the victim’s personal identifying information was being used by BOLGER, Jr., who created and operated at least two such online accounts for a period spanning several months, portraying himself as the victim. On at least one occasion, BOLGER, Jr. made or attempted to make arrangements to meet a male stranger from the Internet while impersonating the victim and revealing the victim’s personal identifying information.
As a result of the investigation, Matthew J. BOLGER, JR. was arrested and charged with one count of Stalking While On Probation, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-10E, a 3rd degree crime; Impersonation, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; one count of Cyber-Harassment, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4.1A(2), a 4th degree crime; and one count of Stalking, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-10B, a 4th degree crime. BOLGER, Jr. is being held at the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Acting Prosecutor Calo thanks the Garfield and Lodi Police Departments for their assistance, as well as the Lyndhurst Police Department and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office – Bureau of Police Services, which participate in the Bergen County Cyber Crimes Task Force.
Advice for those looking to met someone from online…..
If they won’t show their face on video chat such as Skype or snapchat video, you run the risk of meeting some troll who doesn’t look like your expected “friend from online”