Today's Dumb-Ass Story
A police officer who claimed he was conducting his own prostitution sting and strip search ended up being the one arrested. Authorities arrested James Michael Jackson, a police officer with the state Department of Human Services, and charged him with sexual assault and sexual misconduct for the so-called sting.
According to authorities, Jackson, 34, of Toms River, arranged through a service for a woman to meet him Wednesday at a local hotel in Manchester.
When she arrived, Jackson, carrying a badge and gun, told her she was under arrest. He made her take off her clothes and consent to a body cavity search before letting her go, said Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Martin Anton.
The prosecutor said Jackson overstepped his bounds as a law enforcement official when he placed the female prostitute under arrest and performed a strip search.
As a police officer, Jackson had authority to make arrests, but not through an undercover operation of his own, Anton said.
"And a male to strip-search a female is just not done," he added.
The woman reported the incident to authorities the next day, after she talked to law enforcement officers she knew who said Jackson's behavior was illegal.
Jackson had been a police officer with Human Services for about six years. The department has about 75 officers working in various institutions and psychiatric hospitals or, in Jackson's case, with children's services case officers.
Jackson was assigned to the Division of Youth and Family Services' Monmouth South office in Asbury Park.
Ed Rogan, a spokesman for the state Department of Human Services, expected that Jackson would be suspended by Monday, with proceedings leading to his termination starting soon after.
Jackson, who is free on $50,000 bail, faces five to 10 years in prison if convicted.
According to authorities, Jackson, 34, of Toms River, arranged through a service for a woman to meet him Wednesday at a local hotel in Manchester.
When she arrived, Jackson, carrying a badge and gun, told her she was under arrest. He made her take off her clothes and consent to a body cavity search before letting her go, said Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Martin Anton.
The prosecutor said Jackson overstepped his bounds as a law enforcement official when he placed the female prostitute under arrest and performed a strip search.
As a police officer, Jackson had authority to make arrests, but not through an undercover operation of his own, Anton said.
"And a male to strip-search a female is just not done," he added.
The woman reported the incident to authorities the next day, after she talked to law enforcement officers she knew who said Jackson's behavior was illegal.
Jackson had been a police officer with Human Services for about six years. The department has about 75 officers working in various institutions and psychiatric hospitals or, in Jackson's case, with children's services case officers.
Jackson was assigned to the Division of Youth and Family Services' Monmouth South office in Asbury Park.
Ed Rogan, a spokesman for the state Department of Human Services, expected that Jackson would be suspended by Monday, with proceedings leading to his termination starting soon after.
Jackson, who is free on $50,000 bail, faces five to 10 years in prison if convicted.
posted by Tommie Closson at 6:15 AM
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