MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A former Middletown police officer was sentenced on Friday after admitting to a romantic relationship he had with a 17-year-old girl while he was 25.
According to court records obtained by Patch, ex-police officer Justin Skelly was sentenced to five years of probation by Judge Jill O'Malley.
In addition to five years of probation, the conditions of Skelly's sentence also include no victim contact and the forfeiture of public employment in New Jersey, a spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said.
Skelly's sentencing comes after he pleaded guilty to third-degree endangering the welfare of a child in April.
When he was arrested in January 2025, Skelly was initially charged with second-degree sex assault of a victim by a supervisor and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
After he pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child in April, however, the sexual assault charge was dropped, the Asbury Park Press reported.
According to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by Patch, Skelly had numerous interactions with the 17-year-old between August and December 2024.
Authorities say Skelly met the girl numerous times between those months and provided her with alcohol.
He knew where the teen would hang out with her friends, and he frequented those areas in his patrol car, and while he was on duty, according to the affidavit.
In court on Friday, Skelly apologized to the victim and said he is "truly remorseful for what I've done," the Asbury Park Press reported.
While the endangering charge against him carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison, Judge O'Malley said she didn't view Skelly as a threat to repeat the offense, the report said.
Instead of time in prison, he was given the reduced penalty of five years of probation as well as forfeiture of holding public employment ever again.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated with additional information from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.
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