FREEHOLD – A Keansburg cop who was convicted of committing a sex crime while off duty admitted to his actions earlier this year, but was formally sentenced to prison this week. Nicholas Thompson, 26, was sentenced to four years in prison for a date rape incident where he tried to have sex with a woman who was unconscious and incapable of consent.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said Thompson must serve a minimum of 85 percent of the term before the possibility of parole under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA), in accordance with guidelines set down by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jill G. O’Malley.
“He will also be required to 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,” Santiago said.
According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Thompson, who was sworn in as a Patrolman in Keansburg last year, was a SLEO (Special Law Enforcement Officer) Type II at the time of the crime. He was arrested and charged in October 2021. 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. This incident occurred in January 2021 at a private residence, while Thompson was off-duty,” the MCPO said in a statement.
“Sworn members of law enforcement are rightfully held to a higher standard of conduct, on the job and off,” Prosecutor Santiago said. “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.”