Former Hospital Worker From Princeton Sentenced On Sexual Assault Charges

PRINCETON, NJ — A former hospital worker from Princeton has been sentenced in connection with the sexual assault of two female patients who were incapacitated while he worked as a patient care technician at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.

Richard Smith, 42, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison on the charges, the Princeton Packet reports. He will serve the time in Avenel, at the state’s sex offender prison. Smith has a prior conviction for theft, as well as substance abuse problems.

He previously pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault. He had also been charged with six other counts that were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

In November of 2015, a 25-year-old woman claimed Smith had improperly touched her while she was under his care. Hospital officials called police after being notified of the sexual assault.

During the course of the investigation, authorities learned of second alleged sexual assault that had taken place while he worked at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in 2013.

Attached image of Richard Smith was previously provided by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office