Ex-Cop Sentenced For Using His Job To Sexually Assault Teen

MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) — A former police officer who used his job to sexually assault a teenage girl has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Atlantic County prosecutors say Ralph Pereira will also have to register as a sex offender under the sentence imposed Friday. It was made public on Monday.

The 46-year-old Brigantine man had pleaded guilty in May to official misconduct and sexual assault charges. A 10-year veteran of the Brigantine police force, he had been suspended without pay when he was arrested in May 2014 and was removed from the force after he pleaded guilty.

Pereira and a former Atlantic City officer were both accused of having a sexual relationship with the 16-year-old victim. The other officer pleaded guilty last year and is now serving a prison term.

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