Suffolk correction officer Jason Middleton pleads guilty to sexually assaulting inmate
Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead in 2015. By James Carbone Credit: James Carbone
A Suffolk County correction officer admitted Friday to sexually assaulting an inmate at the Riverhead jail in 2023, according to a news release.
Jason Middleton, 37, of Central Islip, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual act for forcing the inmate to perform a sex act on him while he was on duty, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said.
“This defendant admitted to a profound abuse of authority and a violation of the public trust by pleading guilty to sexually assaulting an individual in his custody,” District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a statement. “As a corrections officer, he was entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the safety and constitutional rights of those under his supervision. Instead, he exploited that position of power for personal gratification."
Prosecutors said the incident occurred between June and August 2023, when Middleton escorted the inmate to a utility walkway between jail cells he knew to be a blind spot for security cameras. He closed a door and ordered the inmate to comply with his orders, prosecutors said.
Middleton previously threatened to plant contraband in the inmate's cell if they didn't listen to him, prosecutors said.
Suffolk Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. said his office, which operates the jail, has "zero tolerance" for such conduct.
"The crimes committed by this officer are inexcusable and are absolutely inconsistent with the standards, integrity, and professionalism demonstrated every day by the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office," Toulon said in a statement.
Middleton, who has been suspended without pay since his November 2023 arrest, also pleaded guilty to official misconduct. He is expected to be sentenced to 18 months in jail by acting State Supreme Court Justice Karen Wilutis when he returns to court August 25.
Middleton also resigned from his job and will be required to register as a sex offender as conditions of his plea, prosecutors said. His attorney, James Pascarella, of Mineola, could not be immediately reached for comment Friday.
Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday. A Long Island native, he joined Newsday in 2022.
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