Two corrections officers at a Bordentown facility for female juvenile offenders have been charged with sexual assault after allegedly having unlawful sexual contact with a resident, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice.
Gary Nieves, 53, of Burlington City, has been charged with four counts of sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, witness tampering and official misconduct. William Young, 35, of Marlton, has also been charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and official misconduct.
A criminal complaint and an affidavit of probable cause allege that on Aug. 14, authorities received a report that Nieves and Young – senior corrections officers at the Juvenile Female Secure Care and Intake Facility – had repeated unlawful sexual contact with an 18-year-old female, according to an Oct. 29 press release from the attorney general.
The facility is run by the Juvenile Justice Commission and serves as an intake and secure care unit for female juveniles. The alleged victim subsequently confirmed the allegations against Nieves and Young, and an investigation showed the alleged sexual offenses had taken place at various locations in the facility, including shared spaces and the victim’s living quarters.
If convicted, Nieves and Young could face up to 10 years in state prison for each sexual assault and official misconduct count.
“We will not tolerate people in positions of power using their authority to abuse those in their care,” Platkin said. “The allegations facing these officers, that they preyed on a young person who was in their custody, warrant serious consequences.”
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information relevant to the charges is encouraged to contact Lt. Garrett Brown at (609) 273-8631.
