BERNARDS -- A retired Millburn police officer has been arrested and charged with first degree manufacturing child pornography after he allegedly engaged in sexually-explicit chats and email conversations with a 15-year-old boy.

Gregory Tannenbaum (Somerset County Prosecutor's Officice)

Gregory Tannenbaum, 52, of the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township also faces charges of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree possession of child pornography.

Tannenbaum, who retired in 2000 on disability, is being held in Somerset County Jail on $150,000 cash-only bail.

Tannenbaum is receiving a pension of $29,020, according to state records.

After receiving information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Crimes Against Children Task Force and township police initiated an investigation, acting Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Tannenbaum had engaged in sexually-explicit chats and email conversations with a 15-year-old boy, authorities said.

Investigators searched Tannenbaum's residence Thursday and seized a desktop computer, tablet, cellphone, two external hard drives, and a digital camera, authorities said.

Authorities ask anyone with information regarding this case to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Computer Crimes Unit at 908-575-3300, or the Bernards Township Police Department at 908-766-1122.

Anyone wanting to remain anonymous may call the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477. Information can also be submitted online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either "Crime Stoppers" or "TIPS HOTLINE." All calls will be kept confidential.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.