2 corrections officers sexually assaulted 18-year-old at N.J. juvenile facility, authorities say

Two Juvenile Justice Commission senior corrections officers have been charged with sexually assaulting an 18-year-old being held at the state facility in Burlington County, authorities said Tuesday.
Gary Nieves, 53, of Burlington City is charged with four counts of sexual assault as well as criminal sexual conduct, official misconduct and witness tampering, the state Office of the Attorney General said during a press conference in Trenton.
William Young, 35, of Marlton, is charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual conduct and official misconduct.
Nieves, a senior corrections officer, sexually assaulted the teen in a bathroom at the Juvenile Female Secure Care and Intake Facility under the guise he was supervising her as she cleaned, authorities said.
Nieves also rolled a mop and bucket into a bathroom as a prop, authorities said.
He later instructed the 18-year-old to tell investigators that she viewed Nieves as father figure and that he gave good advice, authorities said.
Young sexually assaulted the teen in her cell, authorities said. He entered the cell under the pretense that he was checking on her as she cleaned up, authorities said.
The Female Secure Care and Intake Facility in Bordentown is the state’s only secure facility for education, treatment and custody for committed juvenile females. It is designed to hold 48 females with 8 single rooms that serve as detention cells.
Staff members at the facility were made aware of the sexual assaults on Aug. 14 and the 18-year-old confirmed what occurred to investigators, authorities said.
“We will not tolerate people in positions of power using their authority to abuse those in their care,” Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement. “The allegations facing these officers, that they preyed on a young person who was in their custody, warrant serious consequences.”
Prosecutors will seek to have Young and Nieves held in jail ahead of their trials.
Nieves was paid $210,194 last year, including more than $109,000 in overtime, according to state pension records. Young’s annual salary is $68,628.
Attorney information wasn’t immediately available.
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at [email protected].