Atlantic City Police Officer Faces Charges over Sexual Assault Claim

A 24-year-old police officer in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is facing charges after allegedly sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman.

Victim Claims She Was Assaulted While in Cuffs

The alleged incident dates back to last year when an officer with the Atlantic City Police Department was dispatched to the Tropicana Casino. On September 13, 2024, when the officer, identified with the initials J.M., arrived on site where he allegedly summoned a woman for being drunk in public.

Currently, laws in New Jersey do not prohibit a person from being drunk in public. That is the case with the exception that a person may be violating the state’s regulations for open alcohol containers or if they are disturbing others or being a threat to themselves or others.

In the described cases a person may be subject penalties under New Jersey’s laws that prohibit drunk and disorderly conduct. However, in general, an intoxicated person that isn’t engaging in any unlawful conduct won’t be subject to penalties.

Contrary to the existing laws, the officer who arrived at the Tropicana Casino allegedly served the victim with a summons for being drunk in public. Then, allegedly, she was arrested and put into the officer’s vehicle.

The victim claimed that she was then taken to a parking lot where, while she was still in cuffs, the officer sexually assaulted her. After the act, which allegedly happened inside the officer’s vehicle, the victim was taken back to the Tropicana and released. Once back at the popular Atlantic City casino, the woman immediately contacted the police and reported the crime.

The Suspect Is Facing Several Charges

The criminal case was assigned to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit. J.M. was arrested earlier this month while an investigation into the alleged sexual assault is still ongoing. For the moment, the suspect is being held while a detention hearing is yet to take place.

After the accident was reported, the officer was suspended. During the questioning, the suspect rejected the claims that he detained a woman, explaining that she was never inside his vehicle. However, investigators found surveillance footage that showed the victim being taken into and then out of the police officer’s vehicle.

In addition, GPS data from the officer’s car reaffirmed the statements made by the woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted. Currently, the 24-year-old police officer is facing a range of charges, including sexual assault, official misconduct and other related offenses.

If found guilty on such charges, J.M. may be facing between 10 and 20 years behind bars. Aggravating circumstances surrounding the sexual assault, such as the use of force, may also play a key role for the duration of the punishment.