United States

Corrections Officer Faces Prison Time After Assault of Detainee

A former New Jersey corrections officer has been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman who was detained in a cell under his supervision.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said in a statement Friday that Shawn Shaw, of Newark, faces a sentence of up to life in prison on the charge of depriving the victim of her rights and up to 20 years on an obstructing justice charge.

Officials say that in December 2010 Shaw, who was an Essex County Correctional officer, was the only guard on duty in the female unit.

Prosecutors say Shaw made sexually explicit comments to the victim and later assaulted her. Authorities also say Shaw falsely said he did not enter the cell or address the victim explicitly.

A message to Shaw's attorney was not immediately returned.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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