Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Sheriff’s Officer has been charged with sexual assault, official misconduct and criminal coercion for allegedly sexually assaulting a 31-year-old woman.
Dinis M. Oliveira, 31, of Newark turned himself in today to the Internal Affairs Unit of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office after being charged.He has been a sheriff’s officer since June 2014.
Authorities said, on Feb. 28, 2015, the Newark Police Department received a report from a 31-year-old woman, alleging that she had been sexually assaulted in her Newark home by a man who identified himself as a law enforcement officer. The woman complied with his demands and subsequently reported the incident to the Newark Police Department. Thereafter, a joint investigation was conducted with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Officeand the Newark Police Department, and the suspect was identified as Oliveira.
Warrants were signed today and Oliveira was charged with one count of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault, one count of 2nd Degree Official Misconduct and one count of 4th Degree Criminal Coercion.
The Honorable Robert H. Gardner, Judge of the Superior Court, set bail at $200,000 – no 10 percent alternative.
The investigation is active and ongoing. It is currently being handled by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Professional Standards Bureau.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty pled or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.