Bergen County Cyber Crimes Investigation Leads to Arrest of Lodi Man
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Lodi NJ, In a significant blow to the distribution of illegal digital content, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has announced the arrest of a Lodi, NJ resident following a targeted internet investigation. On Friday, March 27, 2026, authorities took 55-year-old Paul D. McErlean into custody on multiple charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The Investigation: Cyber Crimes Unit Strikes Again
The arrest was the culmination of a high-tech investigation led by Chief Jeff Angermeyer and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit.
Acting on gathered digital intelligence, detectives executed a search warrant at McErlean’s Lodi residence. The investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly used the internet to:
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View and Download illicit materials.
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Possess and Distribute items depicting sexually explicit content involving minors.
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Share files across various digital platforms.
Legal Charges and Judicial Proceedings
Following the search and subsequent evidence recovery, Paul D. McErlean was officially charged with:
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Second-Degree Distribution of Child Pornography (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(b)5(a)(iii))
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Third-Degree Possession of Child Pornography (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(b)5(b)(iii))
McErlean has been remanded to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, NJ, where he awaits his first appearance in the Bergen County Superior Court.
A Multi-Agency Collaborative Effort
Prosecutor Mark Musella highlighted the vital importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling modern cyber threats. The successful arrest was made possible through the combined efforts of the Bergen County Cyber Crimes Task Force, which includes:
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Lodi Police Department
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New York City Police Department (NYPD)
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Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Norwood, and Washington Township Police Departments
Note from the Prosecutor: The charges mentioned are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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