John Ledbetter will receive three years supervised release on charges of official misconduct, sexual assault and criminal sexual contact
TRENTON - Prosecutors gave a Mercer County corrections officer a deal allowing him to avoid jail time on charges that he repeatedly forced two women inmates to perform oral sex on him over two months.
John Ledbetter Under a deal struck in Mercer County Superior Court Friday, John Ledbetter will receive three years supervised release on charges of official misconduct, sexual assault and criminal sexual contact.
Ledbetter, a 23-year veteran corrections officer, also must perform 40 hours of community service, must resign his position as a county corrections officer and is barred from Mercer County employment, under the terms of the deal.
The agreement allows Ledbetter to receive his county pension and does not bar him from seeking employment with a state agency or another county, prosecutors said.
RELATED: Mercer County corrections officer indicted on charges he coerced female inmates into sex acts
Ledbetter, 50, of Mount Laurel, was accused of forcing the inmates to perform oral sex numerous times between Oct. 1 and Nov, 12, 2013 at the Mercer County jail, Hopewell Township.
Ledbetter had been suspended without pay since February 2014. His last known salary was $88,260.
One of the alleged victims in the case was housed in solitary confinement when Ledbetter followed her into a shower area and coerced her into the sex act, threatening to withhold meals and accusing her of assaulting him, the woman's attorney has said.
Keith Brown may be reached at kbrown@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBrownTrenton. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
