Suffolk Jail Guard Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting Riverhead Inmate

A Suffolk County corrections officer pleaded guilty Friday to forcing an inmate to perform oral sex while on duty at the Riverhead Correctional Facility, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced.

Jason Middleton, 37, of Central Islip, entered his plea before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen Wilutis, admitting to one count of third-degree criminal sexual act, a Class E felony, and official misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor, Tierney said.

According to court documents and Middleton's own admission during the plea allocution, the assault occurred between June 5 and Aug. 14, 2023. Middleton escorted an inmate into a utility walkway between jail cells that he knew to be a blind spot in security camera coverage, closed the door, and ordered the inmate to perform oral sex. The inmate complied, Tierney said. Prior to the assault, Middleton had threatened the inmate, warning that he would plant contraband in the inmate's cell — resulting in additional criminal charges — if the inmate ever disobeyed him, the district attorney said.

Members of the district attorney's public corruption squad arrested Middleton on Nov. 24, 2023. He has been suspended without pay by the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office since that date.

As a condition of the plea, Middleton resigned from county employment effective immediately.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 25 and is expected to receive a sentence of one year and six months in jail. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

"This defendant admitted to a profound abuse of authority and a violation of the public trust," Tierney said. "No one is above the law. When public officials violate their oath, they will be investigated, prosecuted, and held responsible." Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. said the department has "zero tolerance" for such conduct, calling it "inexcusable" and inconsistent with the standards of the Sheriff's Office.

Middleton is represented by attorney James Pascarella, who was not immediately available for comment.