Brigantine Cop Charged With Sexual Assault of Teenage Girl

A Brigantine Police Officer has been indicted for the sexual assault of a 16-year-old female, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced Thursday night.

Ralph M. Pereira, 44, of Brigantine, was indicted on 10 counts in connection with the sexual assault of a teenager in 2012 and 2013. Charges include:

· 2 counts of Sexual Assault—a 2nd degree crime,

· 3 counts of Official Misconduct—a 2nd degree crime,

· 3 counts of 2nd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child,

· 1 count of 3rd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and

· 1 count of Criminal Sexual Contact—a 4th degree crime.

*Read Also: Two Municipal Officers in Atlantic County Charged in Child Sexual Assaults*

Pereira was arrested without incident on May 19, 2014 following an investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, with the assistance of by the Brigantine Police Department.

Pereira allegedly gave the victim alcoholcommitted acts of sexual penetration, and photographed or filmed the victim in a prohibited sexual act, while he held a position of authority and disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of his employment as a public servant. 


Pereira was lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. Pereira was later released on bail.