Prosecutor: County Corrections Officer Arrested, Charged with Child Endangerment, Aggravated Assault for Involvement in Teenagers’ Fight

A 19-year veteran Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) corrections officer has been arrested and charged with facilitating and encouraging a physical altercation between his son and another juvenile while off-duty, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

The corrections officer, Anthony R. Sanchez, 44, has been charged with second- and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree employing a juvenile to commit a criminal offense, and third-degree aggravated assault.

Sanchez was arrested yesterday, Wednesday, Sept. 23, and taken into custody, after which he was released in accordance with the following conditions: no contact whatsoever with the victim; no unsupervised contact with any children under the age of 18; regular monthly reporting; and prohibition of being in possession of weapons, being present in any public parks, or coaching any youth sports or activities.

The case background …

An investigation by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility Unit and Hazlet Police Department revealed that in July of 2026, Sanchez took his 14-year-old son to a local park for the purpose of engaging in a physical altercation with another teenager. The investigation further revealed that Sanchez actively gave his son detailed fighting instructions during the course of the altercation.

Neither juvenile sustained serious bodily injury.

This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Kristen Anastos of the MCPO Professional Responsibility Unit. Information about Sanchez’s legal representation was not immediately available.

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