INVESTIGATION INTO LITTLE EGG HARBOR AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE RESULTS IN ADDITIONAL CHARGES

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Little Egg Harbor Township Police Chief Richard Buzby today announced additional charges for defendant Milton Cortina, 40, of Little Egg Harbor.  Cortina on 1/30/17 was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault (1st degree), Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (3rd degree), Endangering the Welfare of a Child (2nd Degree), Production of Child Pornography (1st degree), Possession of Child Pornography (2nd degree) and Invasion of Privacy (3rd degree).  On 2/1/17 the partnering agencies levied additional charges of Possession of Child Pornography (2nd degree) and Invasion of Privacy (3rd degree).

Earlier this week (1/30/17), after completing an investigation begun in December of 2016 Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit Det. Stephanie Bayha, along with Little Egg Harbor Police Dets. Joel Mahr and Steven Martin, arrested Cortina at his Little Egg Harbor residence.  At that time he was charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault and the other before mentioned charges committed against a juvenile female victim.  During their investigation the Ocean County Prosecutor’s High Tech Crime Unit and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI also assisted.  Search warrants were executed on multiple electronic devices of Cortina which provided significant digital forensic evidence gleamed by the OCPO High Tech Crime Unit to support the charges.

On 2/1/17, after additional digital forensic evidence was developed by OCPO High Tech Crime Unit alleging a second juvenile female victim, OCPO Det. Bayha and Little Egg Harbor Police Det. Joel Mahr added charges against Cortino of Possession of Child Pornography (2nd degree) and Invasion of Privacy (3rd degree).

Nicole’s Law (no contact with victims) has been implemented.  Cortina remains incarcerated in the Ocean County Jail pending a Detention Hearing.  The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Milton Cortina

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