Corrections Officer From Beachwood Gets Probation In Inmate Sex

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Monmouth County corrections officer from Beachwood has been sentenced to two years of probation after he admitted to sexual contact with an inmate at the Monmouth County jail, the Monmouth County prosecutor's office announced.

Thomas J. Mauro, 42, of Beachwood, was sentenced to probation by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano Jr., who rejected the state's request that he be sentenced to 180 days in jail, Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said. Falcetano instead suspended the the jail term, with the provision that Mauro would serve 180 days in jail if he violates his probation.

Falcetano ordered Mauro to maintain full-time employment, obtain substance abuse and mental health evaluations and follow all recommendations, and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Mauro permanently forfeited his ability to hold public office as part of his guilty plea earlier this year, the prosecutor's office said.

On April 27, 2019, the victim, a 31-year-old female inmate from Neptune City, was seen going into a bathroom at the Monmouth County jail that is exclusively for jail staff. Mauro was seen following her into the same bathroom moments later. While in the bathroom, Mauro engaged in sexual contact with the inmate before they left the bathroom separately.

The investigation revealed Mauro and the woman had a relationship in 2013, while the woman was not an inmate at the facility.

Regardless of any prior relationship, such sexual contact is prohibited by law, the prosecutor's office said. A correction officer’s power and authority over an inmate invalidates any possible consent that an inmate could provide.

"Law enforcement officers have an obligation to maintain the public’s trust that they are conducting themselves at the highest standards. Corrections officers have the added obligation to ensure that they are maintaining an environment free of the abuse demonstrated in this case," Gramiccioni said.

"Let this serve as a warning to every officer: violating your oath does harm to your fellow officers, the inmates, and public," Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said. "Any officer violating that oath will be held fully accountable for their conduct."

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