Authorities: Sheriff officer charged with assaulting woman

MILLTOWN, N.J. (AP) -- Prosecutors say a northern New Jersey sheriff's officer has been charged with assaulting a woman.

Authorities say 47-year-old Neil Raciti attacked the victim at around 1 p.m. Sunday in Milltown. He was arrested that same day and was released on his own recognizance.

Authorities say the woman suffered a fracture and was treated at a hospital.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey says Raciti initially was charged with simple assault. But the charge was upgraded to aggravated assault after authorities learned of the woman's injuries.

Carey says Raciti was off-duty when the alleged attack occurred. Middlesex County Sheriff Mildred Scott says Raciti has been suspended from his job without pay.

Raciti has served in the sheriff's office for 14 years. He could not be reached for comment on Monday.

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