Ex-family services worker pleads guilty to pressuring women into sex acts

A former state assistant family services worker pleaded guilty Monday to misconduct for using his authority over women who had lost custody of their children to pressure them into sex acts.

Lamont King, 41, of Trenton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to a second-degree charge of conspiracy to commit a pattern of official misconduct.

Prosecutors say King used his position to pressure two women he was responsible for supervising in court-ordered child visits into having sexual relations with him on multiple occasions in 2015 and 2016.

Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that King be sentenced to three years in state prison. He will also be permanently barred from public employment in New Jersey.

King was formerly an assistant family services worker in the Department of Children and Families, Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP). He was suspended without pay after the conduct was uncovered and then terminated by the department.

"The manner in which King pressured his victims into sexual relations by exploiting his authority and playing on their fears regarding their children was corrupt and deplorable," said Attorney General Grewal.

"King abused his position as a public employee by preying on victims, using his authority to coerce them into sexual acts while they were vulnerable," said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

Sentencing for King is slated for Nov. 16.

Prosecutors are reminding residents that the Division of Criminal Justice has a toll-free Corruption Tipline at 1-866-TIPS-4CJ for the public to report corruption, financial crime and other illegal activities confidentially. The public can also report suspected wrongdoing confidentially online.

The attorney general's office also has an anti-corruption reward program that offers up to $25,000 for tips from the public leading to a conviction for a crime involving public corruption. More information on the program can be found here.