TRENTON — A New Jersey corrections officer has been indicted on multiple charges after prosecutors say he assaulted an inmate, falsely accused the individual of possessing a weapon and filed misleading reports to cover up the incident.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced Thursday that a state grand jury returned a 12-count indictment against Daniel Petoia, 34, of Manahawkin. Petoia, a senior correctional police officer with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, was indicted March 26.
Authorities allege the incident occurred Dec. 20, 2024, at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton. According to the indictment, Petoia was carrying a sharpened metal object that he later claimed belonged to the inmate. Investigators say he then repeatedly struck the inmate, including blows to the head, and continued the assault while the individual was on the ground.
Prosecutors contend the attack was unprovoked and intended to cause serious injury.
“It is critical that corrections officers adhere to the law while performing their difficult, essential work in our criminal justice system,” Davenport said in a statement. “The State cannot and will not look the other way when incarcerated individuals are assaulted without justification.”
Following the incident, Petoia allegedly submitted official reports accusing the inmate of weapon possession in an effort to justify the use of force. Investigators later determined those accounts were fabricated, according to the indictment.
Eric L. Gibson, executive director of OPIA, said falsified reports undermine trust in the justice system.
“There must be accountability when unwarranted physical force is used,” Gibson said. “False justifications created to conceal misconduct by public officials cannot be tolerated.”
Corrections Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn said the department enforces a strict policy against abuse or mistreatment of inmates.
“Any betrayal of that responsibility through criminal conduct is a violation of our core mission and will not be tolerated,” Kuhn said.
The indictment includes two counts of official misconduct, as well as charges of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, tampering with public records, falsifying records, making false reports and tampering with physical evidence.
If convicted, Petoia could face significant prison time. Second-degree charges in New Jersey carry penalties of five to 10 years, while third-degree offenses carry three to five years. Fourth-degree crimes are punishable by up to 18 months in prison.
