Long Island correction officer accused of sexually assaulting inmate

A Long Island correction officer was arrested Friday after he allegedly sexually assaulted an inmate earlier this year, officials said.

Suffolk County Correction Officer Jason Middleton, 35, is accused of forcing an inmate at Riverhead Correctional Facility to perform oral sex, according to District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Sometime between April 26 and Sept. 29, Middleton escorted an inmate into a utility walkway between jail cells that he knew would be a blind spot on security cameras, the DA’s office said.

He shut the door behind them and allegedly ordered the inmate to perform oral sex on him and the inmate complied.

Middleton had previously told the inmate if he ever disobeyed him, he would plant contraband in their cell, leading to additional criminal charges, prosecutors said.

“This defendant is alleged to have violated his oath and preyed upon an individual whom he was sworn to protect,” Tierney said in a statement.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced the arrest on Friday.

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“Hard-working correction officers play an essential role in our criminal justice system and are entrusted with the care and safety of incarcerated individuals,” he added. “My Office will not tolerate any abuse of that trust.”

The correction officer was arrested by the DA office’s Public Corruption Squad and was charged with criminal sexual act in the third degree, a felony. He is scheduled to appear in court Saturday in Southampton Town Justice Court.

He is expected to be placed on supervised release since the crime is not bail-eligible under New York state law, the DA’s office said.