Teacher, school bus driver among 16 facing child porn charges in New Jersey

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- A teacher, a school bus driver and a high school student were among 16 people facing child pornography charges in New Jersey, authorities announced Wednesday.

They were arrested between February and March in a state and federal probe that targeted suspects using online file-sharing networks to distribute kiddie porn, including child rape videos.

Authorities charged Thomas Guzzi Jr., 36, of Pitman, who is a teacher and drama club adviser at the Winslow Elementary School in Vineland. He was accused of possessing 100 or more files. He has been suspended from his job.

He also worked as stage manager at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman. Guzzi is also charged with third-degree invasion of privacy for allegedly hiding a tablet computer in a bathroom stall at the theater to record video of others using the toilet. A video found on his computer allegedly revealed him installing the camera.

PHOTOS: Teacher among 16 charged in child porn investigation

The Associated Press was unable to obtain a telephone number to determine if he has hired a lawyer who can comment on the accusation.

Eugene Triston, 55, of Stanhope, who drives a school bus in Sparta, was charged with distributing 25 or more files. A telephone call to his home seeking comment was unanswered.

A 17-year-old from Kearny is charged with selling, distributing and possessing child pornography.

Dubbed "Operation Safeguard," investigators said they searched for digital "fingerprints" of known child pornography, and searched terms used by those who download and share child pornography to find New Jersey residents who were downloading child pornography and making it available through shared computer folders.

All 16 defendants were charged with second-degree distribution of child pornography, which carries a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison, and third-degree possession of child pornography, which carries a sentence of three to five years in prison.

The following is a full list of the defendants who were arrested. All are charged with both possession and distribution of child pornography. Where noted, they were charged and face enhanced penalties for possession of 100 or more files of child pornography and/or distribution of 25 or more files.

1. Thomas Guzzi Jr., 36, of Pitman. Teacher at John H. Winslow Elementary School in Vineland. Arrested Feb. 19. Bail, $50,000. Charged with possession of 100 or more files of child pornography.

2. Eugene Triston, 55, of Stanhope. Bus driver in Sparta School District. Arrested Feb. 10. Bail, $50,000. Charged with distribution of 25 or more files of child pornography.

3. Male Juvenile, 17, of Kearny. Arrested March 15. Released with ankle monitor. Charged with selling child pornography, possession of 100 or more files of child pornography, and distribution of 25 or more files of child pornography.

4. Shaun Dooley, 46, of Summit. Senior IT officer for insurance company. Arrested March 9. Bail, $75,000. Charged with possession of 100 or more files of child pornography.

5. Andres Tejada-Diaz, 42, of Kearny. Arrested March 3. Bail, $100,000. Charged with possession of 100 or more files of child pornography and distribution of 25 or more files.

6. John Wilms, 46, of Mount Holly. Driver for parcel delivery service. Arrested Feb. 25. Bail, $100,000. Charged with distributing 25 or more files of child pornography for files allegedly found in a shared folder on his computer, including many videos involving infants.

7. Robert Kunert, 22, of Hamilton, Mercer County. Supermarket employee. Arrested March 31. Bail, $52,000. He allegedly possessed approximately 298 files of child pornography in a shared folder on his computer. Charged with possession of 100 or more files of child pornography and distribution of 25 or more files of child pornography.

8. Matthew Dieterman, 32, of Piscataway. Public employee who works for Somerset County in county garage. Arrested March 4. Bail, $50,000. Charged with possession of 100 or more files of child pornography and distribution of 25 or more files of child pornography.

9. Oziel Hernandez Sandoval, 27, of Piscataway. Employment unknown. Arrested March 29. Bail, $75,000. A forensic preview revealed approximately 225 files of child pornography in a shared folder on his computer. Charged with possession of 100 or more files of child pornography and distribution of 25 or more files of child pornography.

10. Bernard Rapp, 72, of Southampton. Retired. Arrested Feb. 24. Bail, $75,000. Charged with possession of 100 or more files of child pornography.

11. Germin Simon, 34, of South Plainfield. Self-employed computer repair technician under name "The Computer Man." Arrested March 17. Bail, $100,000.

12. William Morgan, 59, of Manalapan. Unemployed. Arrested March 24. Bail, $150,000.

13. Christian Martinez-Gonzalez, 34, of East Windsor. Factory worker. Arrested March 7. Bail, $50,000.

14. Brandon Weiss, 42, of Burlington Township. Line worker for label printing company. Arrested Feb. 23. Bail, $100,000.

15. Armando Gonzalez-Longorio, 70, of Elizabeth. Works for employment agency. Arrested Feb. 18. Bail, $100,000.

16. Dimas Zuniga, 44, of Roselle. Employment unknown. Arrested March 22. Bail, $50,000.