A former inmate at the county juvenile detention center will be paid $475,000 to settle a lawsuit against Union County.
The inmate in the lawsuit claimed was repeatedly threatened and sexually assaulted by Sherrie Brown-Braswell, a female corrections officer.
According to suit, on March 14, 2012, the inmate was placed in the detention center in Linden. During the period of April 2012 through November 2013, Brown-Braswell allegedly threatened him and forced him to participate in sex acts.
Other officers and administrators were made aware of the accusation on October 2012 but the assaults allegedly continued despite orders given to Brown-Braswell to stay away from inmate. It was not till November of the year, that higher officials were reportedly informed.
The inmate's attorney, Brian Schiller, says his client who was 17 at the time of the alleged assault, says had to force authorities to investigate his claims of sexual assault.
Brown-Braswell resigned in January 2013 but was not criminally charged until June 2014.
Brown-Braswell was charged with second-degree sexual assault and fourth-degree sexual contact. She later pleaded guilty to fourth degree sexual contact and was given two years probation under a plea agreement.
The inmate, now 20, is awaiting sentencing for two robbery charges and a lewdness at the Union County jail.
County freeholders on Dec. 3 approved the settlement.