Essex County Sheriff’s Officer Faces Sex Abuse Charges

An Essex County sheriff's officer has been arrested and charged with sexually abusing two minors.

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes says 48-year-old Thomas Ingham of Wayne was arrested Thursday.

Prosecutors say Ingham allegedly sexually assaulted two family friends when they were between the ages of eight and 14 years-old.

Ingham is charged with sexually assaulting one girl and criminal sexual contact with the other. He also faces child endangerment and related charges. It's not clear if he has an attorney.

Valdes said the alleged victims, now 18 and 17 years-old, reported the abuse to the Wayne police department on July 19.

Prosecutors say the 18-year-old decided to tell police about the alleged earlier abuse after Ingham allegedly made sexually inappropriate comments to her while they were together in his garage.

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