NJ Department of Corrections Police Officer Charged With Sexually Assaulting Inmates

Saturday, December 20, 2025, 12:45 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

AVENEL, NJ.- On Monday, following an investigation, a 37-year-old Piscataway, New Jersey, man, employed as a Correctional Police Officer at the New Jersey State Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, located in Avenel, New Jersey, was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with allegedly sexually assaulting two state inmates.

     According to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, Anthony Nelson, 37, of Piscataway, New Jersey, was formally charged with two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault; and two counts of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact.

     The charges stem from an investigation that began on December 1, 2025, when the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit was contacted by Investigators with the New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division that two state inmates had reported being sexually assaulted by a Correctional Police Officer over the past weekend.

     During the ensuing investigation, which was led by Detective Christopher Van Eerde and Detective Tammy Colonna of the Middlesex County Special Victims Unit, along with Investigator Sean Smith of the New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division, uncovered and found probable cause that Nelson, while employed at the New Jersey Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, sexually abused two inmates while on duty.

Following The Investigation, Nelson Was Taken Into Custody On Monday

     At the culmination of the investigation, on Monday, December 15, 2025, Nelson was taken into custody without incident. He was processed on the above-referenced charges and was remanded to the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center pending future court proceedings in Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

     If convicted at trial, and due to the alleged crimes involving two victims, Nelson could potentially face up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”