Former Gym Teacher Justin W. Bonita of Roselle, Former Head Wrestling Coach at East Orange High School Indicted on Child Pornography and Drug Charge

A former gym teacher who also was the head wrestling coach at East Orange Campus High School has been indicted on charges of possessing child pornography and operating a marijuana production facility.

Justin W. Bozinta, a 39 year old from Roselle, who is suspended from his job as a physical education teacher at Costley Middle School in East Orange, was indicted Tuesday, Jan. 31, by a state grand jury on the following charges:

♣ 3rd degree possession of child pornography,
♣ first-degree maintaining or operating a marijuana production facility,
♣ second-degree possession of marijuana with intent to distribute,
♣ second-degree possession of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park and
♣ fourth-degree possession of marijuana.

An investigation uncovered that images of child pornography allegedly were uploaded by Bozinta to a Google+ photo account using a computer located at a school facility. Further investigation linked Bozinta to the email account used to upload the images.

A search warrant was execute at Bozinta’s residence, while conducting their child pornography investigation, a major indoor marijuana growing facility was found. The “grow room” was equipped with a special ventilation system, high-powered lights and chemicals to encourage plant growth. Approximately 40 growing marijuana plants were found, along with packaging materials, along with numerous images of child pornography were found on Bozinta’s computer.

“It’s shocking that a man who had responsibility for teaching and coaching young students allegedly was uploading child pornography on a school computer and farming marijuana in his home for distribution,”  said Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino. “We’ll see that Bozinta is vigorously prosecuted for his alleged crimes and never again works in a school environment where he could harm children.”

“Our investigation revealed that Bozinta was living a double life, secretly trafficking drugs and child pornography,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “The fact that he was a teacher engaging in these alleged crimes, which cause so much harm to children, makes this case particularly egregious.”

Bozinta’s bail is set as $275K cash. The first-degree charge of operating a marijuana production facility carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison, including a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, and a fine of as much as $750,000. The charge applies to production of marijuana if it involves more than 5 pounds of marijuana or more than 10 marijuana plants. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.  Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of as much as $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of as much as 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

All persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.