Essex County Sheriff's Officer Accused of Sexually Assaulting 31-year-old Newark Woman

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Sheriff’s Officer has been charged with sexual assault, official misconduct and criminal coercion for allegedly assaulting a 31-year-old Newark woman.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Dinis M. Oliveira, 31, of Newark turned himself in today to the Internal Affairs Unit of the ECPO after being charged. He has been a sheriff’s officer since June, 2014.

According to the ECPO, on Feb. 28, the Newark Police Department received a report from a 31-year-old woman, alleging that she had been sexually assaulted in her Newark home by a man who identified himself as a law enforcement officer. The woman complied with his demands and subsequently reported the incident to the Newark Police Department. Thereafter, a joint investigation was conducted with the ECPO and the Newark Police Department, and the suspect was identified as Oliveira.

Warrants were signed today and Oliveira was charged with one count of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault, one count of 2nd Degree Official Misconduct and one count of 4th Degree Criminal Coercion.

Bail was set at $200,000 with no 10 percent alternative, the ECPO stated.

According to authorities, the investigation is active and ongoing. It is currently being handled by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Professional Standards Bureau.

Send news tips to eric.kiefer@patch.com