Cape May County Prosecutor, Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief of
County Detectives, Mike Emmer announce the arrest of Douglas Gotthold, a 71-year-old male of Franklin
Street, Woodbine, New Jersey for the charge of Possession of Child Pornography.
This investigation stemmed from a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (N.C.M.E.C.) Cyber-
Tip that revealed an individual, subsequently identified as Douglas Gotthold, possessed images of Child
Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) via his computer.
On March 1, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Gotthold’s residence by members of the Cape May
County Regional SWAT Team, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit & Internet
Crimes Against Children Task Force, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI-
Atlantic City), and the New Jersey State Police (Woodbine-Barracks). As a result of this Court Authorized
Search Warrant, it was determined that Douglas Gotthold possessed/viewed Child Sexual Abuse Material. A
total of six (6) computers were seized from the residence and are pending analysis.
As a result of the investigation, Gotthold was arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child
(Possession of Child Pornography), a crime of the third-degree. * Gotthold was processed and is currently
lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility, pending court proceedings. An individual charged with
a third-degree crime is subject to a term of imprisonment of three (3) to five (5) years in New Jersey State
Prison.
Prosecutor Sutherland would like to thank the New Jersey State Police, (Woodbine Barracks) and the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI – Atlantic City) for their assistance with this
investigation. This investigation is part of the ongoing effort by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office
(ICAC Task Force) and the New Jersey State Police (ICAC Task Force) who are dedicated to investigating,
and prosecuting individuals involved in the exploitation of children and those who possess or distribute Child
Sexual Assault Materials (CSAM). Prosecutor Sutherland urges citizens of Cape May County to report any
information regarding child exploitation or any criminal activity within the community. This information can
be reported to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135, or anonymously on the Cape May
County Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips, or by contacting Cape May County Crime Stoppers at
609-889-3597.
*Any charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless he is proven guilty.
