Daniel Petoia, 34, of Manahawkin, a senior correctional police officer, was indicted on Thursday, March 26, according to Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
The charges stem from an incident on Dec. 20, 2024, at New Jersey State Prison on Cass Street in Trenton, officials said. Investigators allege Petoia falsely accused an inmate of possessing a weapon, then struck the inmate multiple times without justification, including repeated blows to the head while the victim was on the ground. According to the indictment, Petoia was in possession of a sharpened metal object that he falsely claimed belonged to the inmate.
Authorities said Petoia later filed official reports accusing the inmate of weapon possession in an effort to justify the alleged assault, but evidence gathered during the investigation showed his account was fabricated.
“It is critical that corrections officers adhere to the law while performing their difficult, essential work in our criminal justice system,” Attorney General Davenport said. “The State cannot and will not look the other way when incarcerated individuals are assaulted without justification by those who should be upholding and enforcing the law.”
Petoia faces two counts of official misconduct, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, multiple counts of tampering with public records, falsifying records, making false reports, and tampering with physical evidence, authorities said.
If convicted, second-degree charges carry five to 10 years in state prison, third-degree charges carry three to five years, and fourth-degree charges could result in up to 18 months, officials said.
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