A state grand jury has decided not to file criminal charges against Guttenberg Police Officer Brandon Sauerwald in connection with the death of Brandon Lee Ortega, following a Nov. 12, 2024 incident in Guttenberg, New Jersey, according to a March 25 statement.
The decision comes after an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability into Ortega’s death during an encounter with law enforcement. The case was presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury as required by state law and the Independent Directive of 2019. This directive mandates that the Office of the Attorney General investigate deaths occurring during encounters with police.
Investigators reviewed witness interviews, emergency calls, radio transmissions, photographs, video footage from body-worn cameras and surveillance systems, and autopsy results before presenting evidence to the grand jury. After hearing testimony and reviewing materials related to the case, jurors voted “no bill” on March 23, concluding that no criminal charges should be filed against Officer Sauerwald.
According to information provided by authorities at the time of the incident, officers responded late at night on Nov. 12 after receiving a report about a disturbance involving several individuals attempting entry into a property. The property owner described one man displaying what appeared to be a blue firearm. Officer Sauerwald later located Ortega nearby; following a brief chase during which Ortega allegedly attempted but failed to carjack someone else before fleeing further on foot. As Officer Sauerwald approached him again near John F. Kennedy Boulevard East, Ortega climbed over a railing and fell approximately 68 feet; he was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel. A firearm was recovered from his person.
Video footage from police body-worn cameras and surveillance systems—as well as recordings of related emergency calls—have been released for public viewing under policies established by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 designed for transparency in fatal police encounters. Representatives for Mr. Ortega’s family were given an opportunity to review these materials prior to their release.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin oversees investigations such as this one through statewide authority granted under statutory mandate according to its official website. The office provides legal representation across all counties and municipalities according to its official website, enforces laws affecting public safety according to its official website, offers victim advocacy services according to its official website, regulates consumer protection initiatives according to its official website, and handles crime lab support throughout New Jersey according to its official website.
This decision marks another instance where fatal encounters between civilians and law enforcement are subject both to independent scrutiny and public transparency measures set forth by state officials.
