TOMS RIVER-Score one for bail reform in Ocean County as a man facing 8 child sexual assault and child pornography charges is being held in jail without bail. The first such high profile case where a defendant wasn’t released back into the community shows that even a blind squirrel can find the nut now and then.
Milton Cortina is facing multiple charges involving multiple child victims and has been held in the Ocean County Jail since his January 30th arrest.
Cortina was the second sexual offender charged in Little Egg Harbor Township in recent weeks.
From the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office:
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced that Milton Cortina, 40, of Little Egg Harbor was ordered detained by Judge Wendel E. Daniels under the new bail reform program yesterday (2/13). Cortina was arrested on 1/30/17 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, OCPO and the Little Egg Harbor Police Department levied additional charges of Possession of Child Pornography (2nd degree) and Invasion of Privacy (3rd degree).
The charges stem from an investigation which began in December of 2016 by Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit Det. Stephanie Bayha, along with Little Egg Harbor Police Dets. Joel Mahr and Steven Martin. The partnering detectives initially arrested Cortina at his Little Egg Harbor residence on 1/30/17 and charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault and the other before mentioned charges committed against a juvenile female victim. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s High Tech Crime Unit and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI also assisted in the investigation.
On 2/1/17, after additional forensic evidence was developed by OCPO High Tech Crime Unit revealed a second juvenile female victim, OCPO Det. Bayha and Little Egg Harbor Police Det. Joel Mahr brought additional charges against Cortino of Possession of Child Pornography (2nd degree) and Invasion of Privacy (3rd degree).
The case is being prosecuted by OCPO Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christine Lento. Nicole’s Law (no contact with victims) has been implemented. Cortina remains incarcerated in the Ocean County Jail. The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
