By: Richard L. Smith
A former New Jersey teacher will spend nearly nine years in federal prison after admitting to possessing sexually explicit images and videos involving minors, according to information released by U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
Matthew Ozol, 41, of Jersey City, was sentenced to 105 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin after previously pleading guilty to a federal offense involving the possession of explicit material depicting minors.
According to federal court documents, investigators searched Ozol’s residence in August 2025 and examined electronic devices that revealed disturbing communications dating back to at least 2022.
Authorities said Ozol participated in encrypted messaging conversations in which he expressed a desire to sexually abuse minors.
Investigators also identified his involvement in an online chat group containing discussions of sexual violence against minors.
A forensic examination of his devices uncovered more than 100 images and 75 videos containing explicit material involving minors, including evidence of sexual abuse involving infants and toddlers, federal officials said.
In addition to his prison sentence, Ozol must serve 10 years of supervised release following his incarceration and pay $10,000 in restitution to a victim.