A former volunteer fire chief in Gloucester County amassed a collection of more than 125,000 images of child sex abuse material over three decades, authorities allege.
Martin W. Matson is charged with knowingly possessing child sex abuse materials and endangering the welfare of a child, according to online court records.
Matson is a former volunteer fire chief at the now-defunct Green-Fields Volunteer Fire Company in West Deptford, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed Tuesday.
Matson, 70, was charged April 17, according to court records. Court records show Matson was re-arrested on May 8 and is being held in jail. He is scheduled for a detention hearing on Wednesday, records show.
Matson had the files in his basement, according to 6abc.com. He downloaded the material over a period of about 30 years, according to the television station.
The fire company closed in 2021.
Matson’s attorney, Robert Agre, didn’t return a call from NJ Advance Media seeking comment.
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.