Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: Cop Pleads Guilty to Sex Crime

A Keansburg police officer who has admitted to a sex crime is now facing job loss, registration as a sex offender, and prison time, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced on Wednesday.

Nicholas Thompson, 25, pleaded guilty to a second-degree attempted aggravated sexual assault charge during a hearing on Tuesday before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jill G. O’Malley.

An investigation revealed that in January of 2021, the crime took place at a private residence, when the victim, an adult female, was unconscious and incapable of consent.

Thompson, who was sworn in as a Patrolman in Keansburg last year, was a SLEO (Special Law Enforcement Officer) II at the time. He was arrested and charged last October when Keansburg Police Chief Wayne Davis announced that Thompson was being suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case.

Thompson’s plea agreement, which was reached after consultation with the victim, calls for permanent forfeiture of public office, registration as a sex offender under Megan’s Law, parole supervision for life, and a sentence of four years in state prison, with 85 percent of the term to be served prior to the possibility of parole under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act.

“Police officers are expected to be held to a higher standard of conduct, on duty and off — and should never bring harm to others,” Acting Prosecutor Linskey said. “We feel that this plea agreement provides justice to our victim and renders the appropriate outcome for an inexcusable act. The actions of this defendant do not reflect the diligent efforts of our county’s law enforcement officers, who safeguard and serve their communities each and every day.”

Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 10. This case was assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibilities and Bias Crime Unit. Thompson has been represented by Mitchell Ansell, Esq., with an office in Ocean Township.

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