NJ Guard Accused Of Posing As Cop To Get Free Sex From Prostitutes

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New Jersey correction officer has found himself on the wrong side of the law.

Juan Stevens, 50, is accused of posing as a police officer to intimidate prostitutes into having sex with him for free or, in one instance, at a discount.

Stevens of Burlington City was arrested Thursday and charged with sexual assault and criminal restraint.

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office said that at least four times in 2011 and 2012, Stevens called women who advertised online as adult escorts and agreed to meet them for sex in Burlington County, N.J., or Philadelphia.

Police said when it came time to pay, he told the women he was a police officer and threatened to arrest them but said he'd let them go in exchange for free sex.

"We allege that by posing as a police officer and coercing victims into having sex with him, this defendant committed serious crimes and betrayed the public's trust, as well as the honor of the badge he does carry, that of a state correction officer," said Attorney General Jeff Chiesa. "We have zero tolerance for such corrupt conduct."

The Attorney General's office during one of the incidents, Stevens allegedly agreed to pay an escort $160 for sexual intercourse, but claimed to be a police officer in the motel room and demanded a discounted price.

The woman allegedly had sex with him, fearing arrest, and he allegedly paid her $100, the AG's office said.

Stevens' is being held in Burlington County in lieu of bail of $200,000. It isn't clear if he has a lawyer.

Stevens works at the Central Reception and Assignment Facility in Trenton.

Share your thoughts in the comments section below...

(TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)