HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. — Former Suffolk County correction officer Jason Middleton has been sentenced to one year and six months in jail after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting an inmate while on duty at the Riverhead Correctional Facility, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced Tuesday.
Middleton, 37, of Central Islip, pleaded guilty in June to Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a Class E felony, and Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor. As part of his sentence, he must also register as a sex offender.
Assault occurred in jail blind spot
According to prosecutors, Middleton worked as a correction officer beginning in 2019 and was responsible for supervising inmates at the Riverhead Correctional Facility.
Between June 5 and Aug. 14, 2023, investigators said Middleton escorted an inmate into a utility walkway between jail cells that he knew was outside the view of security cameras. Once inside, prosecutors said he closed the door and ordered the inmate to perform oral sex, and the inmate complied.
- Former correction officer sentenced to 18 months in jail
- Defendant pleaded guilty to felony criminal sexual act and official misconduct
- Required to register as a sex offender following conviction
District attorney condemns abuse of authority
“The vast majority of correction officers uphold their duties with the honesty and professionalism our justice system depends on,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said.
“This defendant took advantage of the trust placed with him to commit an outrageous abuse of power and a serious crime. My office will continue to prosecute such cases vigorously to safeguard the public’s trust. Thank you to the Sheriff’s Office for their assistance to our investigation.”
Middleton was arrested on Nov. 24, 2023, by members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Public Corruption Squad and was immediately suspended without pay by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.
Guilty plea finalized case
Middleton entered his guilty plea on June 26 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis. As part of the plea agreement, he resigned from his position with Suffolk County.
He was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in jail and sex offender registration. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Laura de Oliveira and Bureau Chief Kevin Ward of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Public Corruption Bureau.
Can correction officers face prison for sexually assaulting inmates? Yes. Prosecutors charged Middleton with felony Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, and he was sentenced to 18 months in jail.
Why was the assault not captured on surveillance video? According to prosecutors, Middleton took the inmate to a utility walkway between jail cells that he knew was a blind spot in the facility’s security camera system.
What additional penalties did Middleton receive? In addition to serving 18 months in jail, he resigned from county employment as part of his plea agreement and is required to register as a sex offender.
Sources: Suffolk County District Attorney
