Two senior corrections officers of the Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) have been charged after they allegedly sexually assaulted, and had unlawful sexual contact with a female resident on multiple occasions at the Female Secure Care and Intake Facility located in Bordentown, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ).
Gary Nieves, 53, of Burlington City, has been charged by criminal complaint with four counts of sexual assault in the second degree; criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree; witness tampering in the third degree; and official misconduct in the second degree.
William Young, 35, of Marlton, has been charged by criminal complaint with sexual assault in the second degree; criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree; and official misconduct in the second degree.
The complaint and the affidavit of probable cause allege that on Aug. 14 staff members of the JJC received information that two senior corrections officers at the Female Secure Care and Intake Facility, commonly referred to as the Hayes Unit, were having repeated unlawful sexual contact with a resident, according to a press release through the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General on Oct. 29.
The victim subsequently confirmed the allegations made against both Nieves and Young. Instances of the alleged sexual contact and sexual assault were identified as taking place in various locations in the secure care facility including shared spaces and the victim’s living quarters. Nieves and Young were acting in their capacity as senior corrections officers with the JJC when they allegedly engaged in various forms of sexual contact and sexual assault, including penetration, on numerous occasions against the victim.
If convicted of the charges, both Nieves and Young could face up to 10 years in New Jersey 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.
This remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information relevant to the state’s allegations is encouraged to contact Lt. Garrett Brown at (609) 273-8631.
