Mercer sheriff’s officer admits releasing arrest photos of teenager

TRENTON — State authorities say a suspended Mercer County sheriff's officer has admitted that he improperly provided a newspaper with three arrest photos of a teenager.

Christopher McKenna pleaded guilty Tuesday to wrongful access and disclosure of information. Prosecutors will recommend that the 37-year-old Hamilton man get probation and a county jail term of up to 364 days when he's sentenced July 29.

McKenna also must forfeit his job and will be barred from holding public employment in New Jersey.

Authorities say McKenna accessed a restricted law enforcement database to get the photos and provided them to the newspaper last August. The newspaper subsequently published the photos along with an article that named the youth and included details about the teen's arrest.

State law bars the public disclosure of juvenile court records.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.