New Jersey’s 2025 Major Discipline Report details a series of disciplinary actions within the Youth Justice Commission, including employee terminations, lengthy suspensions, allegations of sexual misconduct with juveniles, falsified records, excessive force, and policy violations.

The New Jersey Youth Justice Commission recorded some of the state’s most serious disciplinary cases in the Attorney General’s 2025 Major Discipline Report, with multiple officers terminated and several others receiving lengthy suspensions for misconduct involving juvenile residents, falsified records, excessive force, and violations of agency policies.

Among the most serious cases were allegations that officers engaged in sexual relationships with juvenile residents, submitted false documents, used excessive force, or failed to properly monitor youths placed on suicide watch.

Sexual misconduct cases led to terminations

Senior Correctional Police Officer Gary Nieves was terminated after investigators found he engaged in a sexual relationship with a resident at the Juvenile Female Secure Care & Intake Facility. According to the report, a criminal warrant charged Nieves with second-degree sexual assault of a victim under supervision, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and second-degree official misconduct.

Senior Correctional Police Officer William Young was also terminated after investigators found he engaged in a sexual relationship and developed an inappropriate relationship with a juvenile resident. The report states the conduct violated multiple agency policies governing staff interactions with residents.

False reports, excessive force and policy violations

Senior Correctional Police Officer Christopher Parker resigned while under investigation after investigators concluded he submitted false reports, shoved another officer, and used excessive force against a resident. According to the report, fellow officers had to pull Parker away during the altercation.

Senior Correctional Police Officer Nicholas Zatkos was terminated after investigators determined he submitted falsified Family and Medical Leave Act paperwork and later provided false statements during the investigation. In a separate disciplinary case, Zatkos was also found to have submitted fraudulent meal reimbursement receipts. Both cases were appealed through the administrative process.

Suspensions issued for multiple violations

Several additional officers received lengthy suspensions.

Senior Correctional Police Officer Gianfranco Lobaton received a 60-day suspension after investigators found he violated custody procedures by allowing multiple residents into a room where a fight occurred, failed to declare an emergency, failed to restrain a resident, and later provided false statements during the investigation.

Senior Correctional Police Officer Savannah Lopez (Valentin) also received a 60-day suspension after investigators found she violated multiple policies involving insubordination, possession of contraband, and social media. According to the report, she posted videos while in uniform, and in some instances while on duty, that generated a public complaint.

Senior Correctional Police Officer Christopher Moore received a 120-day suspension after investigators cited excessive absenteeism, repeated tardiness, refusal to work mandatory overtime, abandoning his assigned post, and insubordination.

Senior Correctional Police Officer Isaiah Kirksey was suspended for eight days after investigators concluded he failed to conduct required 15-minute checks on a resident under close observation and falsely documented that the checks had occurred.

Senior Correctional Police Officer Austin Sysol received a 30-day suspension following an encounter with New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife officers in which investigators found he failed to cooperate with law enforcement while on a beach closed to public access.

Key Points

• Three Youth Justice Commission officers were terminated or resigned following investigations involving sexual misconduct, falsified records, and excessive force.

• Multiple additional officers received suspensions ranging from eight to 120 days for policy violations, insubordination, neglect of duty, and misconduct.

• The disciplinary actions were disclosed in New Jersey’s 2025 Major Discipline Report released by the Attorney General’s Office.

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