A former Keansburg Police Officer who was on the job for just one month in October 2021 was subsequently arrested, charged, pleaded guilty, and has now been sentenced for trying to have sex with an unconscious woman while off-duty, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago.

In early October of 2021, now former Keansburg Police Officer Nicholas Thompson, 26, was suspended without pay pending the outcome of an investigation into his conduct while off duty in January of 2021 at a private residence.

He was suspended after being charged by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office with first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, second-degree Sexual Assault, and third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact.

Prison cell at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media New Jersey)
Prison cell at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media New Jersey)
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In May of 2022, Thompson pleaded guilty to a second-degree charge of Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault.

The now former SLEO Class II Officer with the Keansburg Police Department has been sentenced to four years in state prison and Prosecutor Santiago adds that Thompson must also serve a minimum of 85 percent of the term before the possibility of parole, register as a sex offender under the provisions of Megan’s Law, be subject to Parole Supervision for Life, and permanently forfeit all prospects of future public employment in New Jersey.

Prison door at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media New Jersey)
Prison door at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media New Jersey)
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"Thompson’s plea agreement to second-degree Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault was reached in May, after consultation with the victim. During his plea, Thompson admitted that he attempted to have sex with the victim while she was unconscious and incapable of consent."

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In this case, Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibility & Bias Crime Unit brought it to court and Thompson was represented by Mitchell Ansell, Esq., with an office in Ocean Township.

Court room at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media New Jersey)
Court room at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media New Jersey)
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“Sworn members of law enforcement are rightfully held to a higher standard of conduct, on the job and off,” Prosecutor Santiago said in a written statement. “When they fall so short of that standard that their conduct becomes criminal, we then have a solemn obligation and responsibility to step in and ensure that they are held fully accountable.”

NJ arrests 31 accused child predators in Operation 24/7

A roundup of 31 men have been accused of sexually exploiting children online, state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced on July 14 while detailing "Operation 24/7."

The suspects “possessed and or distributed videos and images of child sexual abuse, including in many cases videos of young children being raped by adults,” Grewal said.

Chat apps and gaming platforms remain favorite hunting grounds for child predators and even as the pandemic winds down, many children have continued to spend more time online.

State Police received 39% more tips in just the first 6 months of 2021 than they received in the entire year in 2019. The following are suspects charged in "Operation 24/7."

New Jersey's most disgraceful child predators and accused predators

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