26 YEAR OLD NEW YORK CORRECTIONS OFFICER CHARGED WITH LURING, SEXUAL ASSAULT, ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD AND PROMOTING PROSTITUTION

Published on October 03, 2019

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker, and Mount Olive Police Chief Stephen Beecher announce that Michael Rivera, age 26, of Glen Spey, New York, has been charged with one count of Luring, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-6(a), a crime of the second degree; two counts of Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)1, crimes of the second degree; two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)1, crimes of the third degree; and one count of Promoting Prostitution, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1(b)7, a crime of the second degree.

This defendant, who is currently employed as a corrections officer with the New York State Department of Corrections, is alleged to have contacted a 16-year-old female via the internet and offered her money in exchange for sexual acts on or about July 4, 2018. It is further alleged that the defendant met with the victim on July 6, 2018, in Mt. Olive, provided money and engaged in sexual acts with the victim. When the victim indicated that she did not want to continue, the defendant forcibly penetrated the victim. Thereafter, he took the money back and left the residence. The defendant's identity was not initially known to the victim, but was ascertained through extensive investigation by members the Mt. Olive Police Department and Morris County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit.

The defendant was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to call Detective Hunter Guiles of the Mt. Olive Township Police Department at 973-691-0850.

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us.