A Monmouth County probation officer has been indicted on multiple charges in connection with the 2019 sexual assault of a 23-year-old he supervised, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said.

Henry C. Cirignano, 48, of Adams Street in Wall Township, is charged in the indictment with: six counts of second-degree sexual assault, witness tampering, one count of second-degree pattern of official misconduct, four counts of second-degree official misconduct, one count of third-degree terroristic threats, one count of third-degree criminal coercion, one count of first-degree tampering with a witness or informant, and two counts of fourth-degree criminal coercion. Cirignano is also charged with fourth-degree contempt of court for violating a no witness contact provision in a pre-trial release order.

Cirignano was arrested and charged with the sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman he supervised on probation on Feb. 4, 2019. 

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The case background …

An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that between August of 2016 and January of 2019, Cirignano repeatedly engaged in sexual activity with the female probationer while she was under his supervision.  

Further investigation led to the filing of additional charges, including charges of official misconduct, after it was determined that he misused his official position to conceal his illicit activities over that same period of time.

Evidence gathered in the investigation indicated that Cirignano had allegedly threatened to create false probation violations that would have resulted in the victim’s incarceration unless she provided sexual favors to him. Cirignano’s alleged sexual assaults upon the victim were frequent and repetitive, occurring in three separate locations where the victim was residing during the period of probation supervision.

If convicted of a first-degree crime, Cirignano faces up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison, subject to the provisions of the “No Early Release Act” (NERA), requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. He would also be under parole supervision for five years following his release from state prison.

If convicted of sexual assault, Cirignano faces up to 10 years in a New Jersey state prison on each count, subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. He would also be subject to the provisions of Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life, requiring a minimum of 15 years of parole supervision following his release from prison. A third-degree conviction carries a custodial sentence of up to five years in prison on each count.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Detective Jose Cruz and Detective Michael Acquaviva at 1-800-533-7443.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.  Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.

Cirignano has remained held in the Ocean County Correctional Institution since his arrest.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office