A Keansburg Police Officer has been arrested and subsequently charged for allegedly attempting to sexually assault an unconscious woman, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced on Tuesday.

Officer Nicholas Thompson, 24, who has since been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case, is being charged with first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, second-degree Sexual Assault, and third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office learned of the sexual assault that occurred in January and immediately began an investigation where they learned that the attack occurred at a private residence while the victim "was unconscious and incapable of consent."

Thompson has only been a patrolman for a month being sworn in in Keansburg in September but up until then, including at the time of the alleged rape, he was an SLEO Class II Officer.

Following his arrest on Monday, Thompson was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a first appearance to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.

If convicted, Thompson could face up to 20 years in state prison on the Aggravated Sexual Assault charge, as well as up to 10 years on the Sexual Assault charge.

“The news of yesterday’s arrest was shocking and disturbing for all of us to hear,” Keansburg Police Chief Wayne Davis said in a statement from the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office. “The Keansburg Police Department is comprised of professional investigators of the highest caliber, and we refuse to allow the actions of one officer to negate or obscure the good work they do every day. We will also continue to cooperate with the Prosecutor’s Office’s investigation and prosecution in any way necessary, in order to bring this defendant to justice.”

This case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibilities and Bias Crime Unit.

Thompson is being represented by Mitchell Ansell, Esq., who has an office in Ocean Township.

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