Former Brigantine Cop Sentenced On Child Sex Assault Charges

A former Brigantine Police officer has been sentenced to five years in state prison for using his position as a police officer to sexually assault a 16-year-old girl, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane Ruberton said on Monday.

Ralph M. Pereira, now 46, of Brigantine, previously pleaded guilty to official misconduct and sexual assault.
He admitted to abusing his power to engage in sexual acts with a 16-year-old girl while he was off-duty.

He must serve five years in state prison on the official misconduct charge, and won’t be eligible for parole for two years.

He will also serve a concurrent sentence of five years in state prison on the sexual assault charge.

He is also subject to parole supervision for life and must register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law. He is also not permitted to have any contact with the victim.

He was arrested on May 19, 2014, following an investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, assisted by the Brigantine Police Department.

He was later indicted on 17 criminal counts, including:

• 8 counts of Official Misconduct for both unauthorized acts and non-performance of duties;
• Engaging in a Pattern of Official Misconduct;
• 2 counts of Sexual Assault;
• 2 counts of Criminal Sexual Contact, and
• 4 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child for engaging in conduct which would impair the morals of a child, causing harm that would make the victim an abused child, photographing the child engaging in a prohibited sexual act or simulation, and possessing nude video and photographs of the victim.

Assistant Prosecutor John Flammer, who represented the State in the case, told the Court while delineating the aggravating factors of this crime prior to sentencing, that “this was a breach of the public trust,” and that, “there needs to be a message sent that there are severe consequences for a public servant who engages in these actions.”