Former Suffolk jail guard sentenced to 18 months for sexually assaulting inmate at Riverhead jail
A former Suffolk County correctional officer was sentenced to 18 months in jail and registered as a sex offender on Tuesday for forcing an inmate to perform oral sex inside the Riverhead Correctional Facility while he was on duty, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.
Jason Middleton, 37, of Central Islip, pleaded guilty to criminal sexual act in the third degree on June 26. He was arrested on Nov. 24, 2023, by the DA’s Public Corruption Squad after the assault, which happened sometime between June 5 and Aug. 14, 2023, according to Mr. Tierney.
“The vast majority of correction officers uphold their duties with the honesty and professionalism our justice system depends on,” Mr. Tierney said. “This defendant took advantage of the trust placed with him to commit an outrageous abuse of power and a serious crime.”
The District Attorney’s office said that Mr. Middleton began working at the correctional facility in 2019 and was tasked with guarding inmates. Between June 5, 2023, and August 14, 2023, Mr. Middleton escorted an inmate into a utility walkway between jail cells that he knew to be a blind spot in security camera coverage. Once at the location, he closed the door and ordered the inmate to perform oral sex on him.
He was suspended without pay after being arrested.
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. previously called the crimes “inexcusable” and said they were “absolutely inconsistent with the standards, integrity, and professionalism” of the sheriff’s office.
“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,” Mr. Tierney said.
