An Eatontown nurse voluntarily surrenders his license temporarily, while facing a child pornography charge in Monmouth County.
Richard Matthew Baine was charged on March 20 in Eatontown, following a two-month investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.
Detectives said that digital equipment seized at his dwelling contained evidence of a file-sharing network containing degrading images of minors.
According to New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino's office, Blaine faces a count of endangering the welfare of a child by distributing and possessing or viewing an item depicting the sexual exploitation of a child.
Voluntary license suspension is not considered an admission of liability, authorities said. Under the interim consent order, Blaine indictes that he is not currently employed as a nurse.
He is required to physically surrender his license to the State Board of Nursing, and refrain from practing nursing or presenting himself as a nurse, pending further review.
A finding of guilt would undermine a fundamental requrement of sound moral judgement connected to licensure, authorities said, and would present the possibility of further disciplinary action.
If Baine applies for reinstatement, the Nursing Board would determine if he would be subject to any other limitations or restrictions, authorities said.