Paul D. McErlean
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced upgraded charges against 55-year-old PAUL D. MCERLEAN of Lodi, NJ, related to his recent arrest for distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material. The latest charges are the result of the ongoing investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer.
As previously reported, on Friday, March 27, 2026, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at the residence of PAUL D. MCERLEAN during the course of an Internet child sexual abuse material investigation. The investigation revealed that MCERLEAN used the Internet to view, download, possess, distribute and share items depicting nude and/or sexually explicit pubescent and prepubescent children. MCERLEAN was arrested and charged with third-degree possession of child pornography, and second-degree distribution of child pornography. At the time, MCERLEAN was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending further court action.
Following his arrest, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Digital Forensics Lab identified additional evidence that PAUL D. MCERLEAN possessed and distributed over 1,000 depictions of child sexual abuse material. As a result, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, MCERLEAN was further charged with second-degree possession of child pornography, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(b)5(b)(ii); and first-degree distribution of child pornography, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(b)5(a)(iii). MCERLEAN remains in custody at the Bergen County Jail pending further court action.
Prosecutor Mark Musella states that all of the charges in this case are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella thanks the Lodi Police Department and the New York City Police Department for their assistance in this investigation. Moreover, he thanks and recognizes the Hackensack Police Department, Hasbrouck Heights Police Department, Norwood Police Department, and Washington Township Police Department, which all participate in the Bergen County Cyber Crimes Task Force.