A state grand jury has voted not to file any criminal charges against a Guttenberg police officer at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding a November 12, 2024 incident in Guttenberg, New Jersey. The civilian who died during that encounter had previously been identified as Brandon Lee Ortega, 26, of Mexia, Texas.
Mr. Ortega’s death was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury in accordance with the Independent Directive of 2019, which was issued following the enactment of a state law requiring the Office of the Attorney General to investigate deaths that occur during an encounter with law enforcement.
The investigation included witness interviews, review of 911 calls, radio transmissions, photographs, video footage from body-worn cameras and surveillance videos, and autopsy results. This evidence was presented to a state grand jury. After hearing testimony and evidence, the grand jury concluded its deliberations on March 23, 2026, and voted “no bill,” concluding no criminal charges should be filed against Guttenberg Police Officer Brandon Sauerwald.
According to the investigation, at approximately 11:02 p.m. on November 12, 2024, officers from the Guttenberg Police Department responded to 68th Street and Bellevue Avenue after a 911 call was received reporting a disturbance. There, Guttenberg Police Officer Sauerwald and Detective Jaber Jaber met with an individual who explained that he had rented a room to a female from California, but she never checked in. Instead, two males and one female with a dog attempted to enter the property. When the owner denied them entry, an argument ensued and one male, later identified as Mr. Ortega, reportedly brandished a blue firearm. Officers were provided with a description of the individuals involved in the reported disturbance and canvassed the area.
Officer Sauerwald located Ortega in the area of 7000 John F. Kennedy Blvd. East. During a brief foot chase, Mr. Ortega fled from Officer Sauerwald and allegedly attempted to carjack an individual. After the failed attempt, the driver chased after Mr. Ortega. Officer Sauerwald pursued, and as he was approaching, Mr. Ortega climbed over a railing and fell approximately 68 feet. Fire department and EMS personnel responded and Mr. Ortega was pronounced deceased at the scene. A gun with a black grip and metallic blue coloring was recovered on Mr. Ortega’s person at the scene.
Today, video footage from police body-worn cameras, surveillance cameras, as well as 911 calls related to this fatal incident are being released, pursuant to policies established by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 to promote the fair, impartial, and transparent investigation of fatal police encounters. Investigators provided representatives of Mr. Ortega’s family an opportunity to review the recordings before their public release.
The recordings are available to view here: https://njoag.box.com/s/inq7d03b0kn5ggjwuhbv3rdzh02fv83a
Further information about how fatal police encounters are investigated in New Jersey under the Independent Prosecutor Directive can be found here.