Pompton Lakes officer charged with sexual assault and child pornography offenses

Pompton Lakes NJ,Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces the arrest of Mark Stinnard, 37 years old, from Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Stinnard is charged with first degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for manufacturing child pornography, third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for engaging in sexual conduct with a child, third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for possessing child pornography, and third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for causing harm to a child.

On Monday, April 23, 2018, the Riverdale Police Department received a report of a minor who had been sexually involved with a police officer from the Pompton Lakes Police Department. It was determined that the offenses occurred in Passaic County, and as a result the Sexual Investigations Unit of Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office conducted the investigation. The resulting investigation revealed that Stinnard, a Pompton Lakes Police Officer, was having a sexual relationship with a child under the age of 18, and that in the course of their relationship he would request that the child take nude photos and videos and send them to him. It was also determined that the sexual relationship occurred during Stinnard’s personal time and did not touch upon his employment as a police officer. Stinnard was arrested on September 27, 2021 without incident.

The sentencing exposure on first degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for manufacturing child pornography is ten to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison, on third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for engaging in sexual conduct is three to five years, on third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for possessing child pornography is three to five years, and for third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for causing a child harm is three to five years. If convicted of first degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for manufacturing child pornography or third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for engaging in sexual conduct, Mr. Stinnard will also be subject to Parole Supervision for Life and Megan’s Law registration requirements.

The State will file a motion for pretrial detention that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident or other incidents regarding this individual to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO. Any inquiries regarding Mr. Stinnard’s employment status should be directed to Pompton Lakes Police Chief Derek Clark at (973) 835-0400. For media inquiries concerning this case, contact Senior Assistant Prosecutor In-Charge Anneris V. Hernandez of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Major Crimes Division, Sexual Investigations Unit at ahernandez@passaiccountynj.org or at (973) 837-7729