NJ correctional officers accused of sexually abusing teens in a juvenile facility

Two top New Jersey prison officials were charged Tuesday with sexually assaulting a teenager held at a juvenile detention center in Bordentown, authorities said.

Gary Nieves, 53, of Burlington City, and Wiliam Young, 35, of Marlton, repeatedly assaulted an 18-year-old woman at the Female Secure Care and Intake Facility, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said at a news conference. They were charged with sexual assault, official misconduct and related crimes.

“The victim in this case was allegedly sexually abused by the very officers who were supposed to protect and provide care to her,” he said.

The two men face up to 10 years in prison on each charge of sexual assault and official misconduct. Nieves, who faces four counts of sexual assault, was also accused of witness tampering.

The two are in custody pending hearings, the attorney general said. It was unclear whether they had retained lawyers.

Correctional officers assaulted the teen multiple times — in her room, in a bathroom and elsewhere in the facility, authorities said. They concealed their actions by showing they were supervising the victim while she cleaned her room and other parts of the center, said Steve Ferketic, director of the agency’s criminal division.

The investigation into the officers’ conduct began Aug. 14 with a tip to Juvenile Justice Commission officials that Nieves and Young had sexually assaulted the victim, the attorney general’s office said. The teen later confirmed the allegations.

When Nieves learned of the investigation, authorities said, he wrote a note to the victim asking her to tell investigators he was like a father figure to her and gave her good advice.

The investigation is ongoing, authorities said.

Officials ask that anyone with information about the case Lt. Garrett Brown calls at (609) 273-8631.