Former corrections officer sentenced to three years
S.B. man had pleaded guilty to crimes against nurse, inmates
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer
ASouth Brunswick man was sentenced to three years in state prison Friday after pleading guilty last month to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of seconddegree official misconduct, according to Hunterdon County Assistant Prosecutor Dawn Solari.

Marc Jenkins, 36, committed the crimes against a nurse and inmates at the Hunterdon County jail, where he had been working as a corrections officer. The crimes occurred between December 2005 and June 2006. He was sentenced to three years for the second-degree crime and nine months for the fourth-degree crime, both sentences to run concurrently. He will be eligible for parole after nine months.

The sentence handed down by Judge Roger Mahon, sitting in Flemington, was what was agreed upon in the plea deal. Other requirements were that Jenkins pay all court expenses for the victims, pay $700 to one victim, not make any contact with the victims, and undergo a psychosexual evaluation and follow the recommendations.

At the sentencing, Jenkins said a few words.

"He did apologize and he made some comments about his religion and finding the Lord," Solari said. "He apologized to his family and friends as well."

Solari commented on letters that were written by victims and their families, some of whom were present in the courtroom. Also, because Jenkins had confessed to the crime, she felt it was necessary to comment on letters saying that Jenkins could not have committed this crime.

Jenkins had requested that he serve his time in the county jail as opposed to state prison, but the judge denied this request.

"The jail had contacted the judge and they said he could not serve his sentence there," Solari said.

Solari said the judge did not mention why Jenkins could not serve his time there. Solari said that the reason is most likely because of his former position as corrections officer at the jail. He would know the routines of the jail, where the security cameras are and other things that might compromise the situation.