A New Jersey Department of Corrections officer was indicted on March 26 for allegedly assaulting an inmate, filing false official reports, and falsely accusing the inmate of possessing a weapon, according to a statement from Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
The indictment against Daniel Petoia, 34, follows an incident that occurred on December 20, 2024 at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton. The case raises concerns about accountability within correctional facilities and underscores the importance of upholding legal standards in law enforcement roles.
Attorney General Davenport said, “It is critical that corrections officers adhere to the law while performing their difficult, essential work in our criminal justice system. 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.”
Eric L. Gibson, Executive Director of OPIA, said: “Those who are incarcerated should not face arbitrary violence committed by correctional officers. There must be accountability when unwarranted physical force is used to assault individuals in the custody of the state. False justifications memorialized in official reports simply cannot be tolerated, especially when crafted to cover up misconduct by public officials. It undermines our system of justice when corrections officers take it upon themselves to impose their own brand of punishment.”
DOC Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn added: “The New Jersey Department of Corrections maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of those in our care. Our officers are entrusted to uphold the law and ensure public safety; any betrayal of that responsibility through criminal conduct is a violation of our core mission and will not be tolerated.”
According to investigators cited in the indictment, Petoia allegedly possessed a sharpened metal object which he claimed belonged to an inmate before striking him multiple times without justification. The indictment further alleges that Petoia filed official reports with fabricated details about what happened during this incident.
Petoia faces twelve counts including two counts of official misconduct (second degree), aggravated assault (third degree), unlawful possession of a weapon (fourth degree), three counts each related to tampering with records or information (third/fourth degree), making false reports (third degree), and tampering with physical evidence (fourth degree). Second-degree charges could result in five to ten years’ imprisonment; third-degree charges carry three-to-five-year sentences; fourth-degree offenses may lead up to eighteen months’ imprisonment.
Deputy Attorneys General Robert J. Serrano and Samantha Eaton are prosecuting this case under supervision from senior officials at OPIA’s Corruption Bureau.
The role played by agencies such as the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office includes protecting residents’ lives and property while ensuring statewide enforcement standards according to its official website. Its authority extends throughout all counties across New Jersey according to its official website, influencing public safety through oversight functions according to its official website. Statutory mandates empower it with statewide authority over prosecution efforts as well as regulation regarding public safety matters according to its official website. Additional services include legal representation for state entities, crime lab support operations for investigations like this one, victim advocacy programs supporting affected individuals within justice processes—and broader consumer protection initiatives—according to its official website.
As proceedings continue against Petoia—with defense counsel yet unknown—the case highlights ongoing efforts by state authorities focused on maintaining integrity within correctional institutions across New Jersey.