FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County corrections officer is facing five years in prison after he was caught engaging in sexual contact with a female inmate at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Thomas J. Mauro, 41, of Beachwood, has been charged with second degree Official Misconduct and fourth degree Criminal Sexual Contact.
If he is convicted of Official Misconduct, Mauro faces a mandatory sentence of five years in prison without parole, a lifetime ban on public employment in the State of New Jersey, and forfeiture of his benefits. If he is convicted of Criminal Sexual Contact, Mauro faces up to 18 months in state prison.
“Law enforcement officers are sworn to uphold the law in every way. As a corrections officer, Mr. Mauro exercises supervisory powers over an inmate. The conduct, as alleged, is an exploitative abuse of an officer’s sworn authority and will not be tolerated. We will continue to hold every law enforcement officer to the highest standards with no distinction between their roles in the system,” Gramiccioni said.
On April 27, 2019, Mauro was observed following a 31-year old female inmate into a staff bathroom at the correctional facility. While in the bathroom, Mauro engaged in various forms of sexual contact with the inmate before they each exited the bathroom separately.
An investigation found that Mauro and the female inmate formerly met during a previous incarceration at the correctional facility. In 2013, the two began having a sexual relationship while she was not an inmate. The relationship ended that same year.
“These type of acts will not be tolerated at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, and, if the allegations are found to be true, the officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden. “The safety of the inmates at the correctional facility is of the utmost importance. Any member of law enforcement found guilty of violating the oath they swore to uphold, will be held accountable.”
Residents can report concerns to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Tip Line, which is designed to solicit the public’s assistance in identifying and targeting corruption, fraud and misconduct occurring in local governmental agencies. Call 855-7-UNJUST (855 786-5878) or email corruption@mcponj.org and write “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line.
