Ex-Cape Corrections Officer Sentenced For Sex Assault Of Minor

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ — A former Cape May County corrections officer was sentenced to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison for the sexual assault of a minor, Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland announced Thursday.

Jonathan E. Perez, 35, of Woodbine will serve the sentence subject to the “No Early Release Act.” The sentencing also required forfeiture of his Police Training Commission Law Enforcement License and he is barred from holding any public office or public employment. Upon release, Perez is subject to parole supervision for life, and he must register as a sex offender.

Perez's trial began on March 18, 2024, where he was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault with a minor, crimes of the first degree; one count of sexual assault, a crime of the second degree; and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a crime of the second degree. On April 12, 2024, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all four counts against Perez.

The trial was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit and the New Jersey State Police Woodbine barracks which was initiated in February of 2023 after a juvenile victim reported the abuse.

State police in Woodbine received a report on Feb. 11 that Perez had been sexually assaulting the girl "over an extended period of time," officials said.

That same day, state police and the Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit launched an investigation into the allegations, officials said.

Charges were filed against Perez early Feb. 12, but his location was unknown at the time, according to officials. He was taken into custody later that day by troopers from the New Jersey State Police Woodbine Barracks.

Sutherland said his office will continue to work hand in hand with the local municipalities to aggressively investigate and prosecute violent crimes within the county. He also recognized the investigative efforts of the dedicated detectives, forensic nurses, medical professionals, victim advocates and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Bryna Batten who prosecuted this case.

“The prosecution team worked with diligence and purpose, including our Assistant Prosecutors, Detectives, the State Police, the Victim Advocates, Forensic Nurses and our Staff, to make sure justice was done for the victim and the victim’s family,” Sutherland said.