Prosecutor: Cop Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges

A Keansburg police officer has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting an incapacitated woman earlier this year, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced on Tuesday.

Nicholas Thompson, 24, has been charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact.

“The news of yesterday’s arrest was shocking and disturbing for all of us to hear,” Keansburg Police Chief Wayne Davis said. “The Keansburg Police Department is comprised of professional investigators of the highest caliber, and we refuse to allow the actions of one officer to negate or obscure the good work they do every day. We will also continue to cooperate with the Prosecutor’s Office’s investigation and prosecution in any way necessary, in order to bring this
defendant to justice.”

At the direction of Chief Davis, Thompson has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of this case.

An investigation by members of the Prosecutor’s Office revealed that in January of 2021, a sexual assault allegedly took place at a private residence, when the victim was unconscious and incapable of consent.

Thompson, who was sworn in as a Patrolman in Keansburg last month, was a SLEO (Special Law Enforcement Officer) Class II at the time of the alleged assault.

He was taken into custody without incident on Monday and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending an initial appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court.

If convicted, Thompson could face up to 20 years in state prison on the aggravated sexual assault charge, as well as up to 10 years on the aexual assault charge.

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