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Federal Corrections Officer Detained on Multiple Charges Following Violent Domestic Incident in Mount Olive
MORRISTOWN, NJ — A severe domestic violence case has led to the arrest of Patrick J. O’Kane, 45, of Exeter, Pennsylvania, a federal corrections officer, following a harrowing incident on October 5, 2024, in Mount Olive, New Jersey. Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Mount Olive Police Chief Michael Spitzer disclosed the details of the charges.
O'Kane, who is employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, allegedly engaged in a violent altercation with the victim while en route to a local campground for a photography session. The argument, reportedly triggered by a text message received by the victim, quickly escalated to physical violence. O'Kane is accused of strangling the victim, cutting her abdomen with a knife, and threatening her life with a firearm.
The victim, whose identity remains confidential, survived the ordeal, and law enforcement was promptly notified, leading to O'Kane's arrest. The charges against him include second-degree aggravated assault by strangulation, possession of a firearm and a knife for unlawful purposes, terroristic threats, and simple assault among other serious offenses.
Following the incident, O’Kane faced a detention hearing under the Criminal Justice Reform Act and has since been detained at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending further court proceedings. The detailed list of charges reflects the severity of the allegations and the multi-agency effort in the ongoing investigation, involving contributions from the Hackettstown Police Department, Mount Olive Police Department, and several other law enforcement agencies across state lines.
Prosecutor Carroll noted, “Domestic violence is a serious crime. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is committed to holding the perpetrators of domestic violence, especially those that involve physical violence and the use of a firearm or weapon, accountable under the law. I commend the law enforcement officers who responded. Through the skillful use of police de-escalation techniques, they were able to safely arrest the defendant, who had assaulted the victim with a knife and pointed a firearm while threatening to kill the victim.”
In light of this incident, authorities have taken the opportunity to remind the public of the resources available for domestic violence victims. The Morris County Family Justice Center, located in Morristown, provides crucial support and is reachable at 973-829-4050. Further assistance is available through the state's domestic violence hotline at 1-877-R-U-ABUSED.
As the case unfolds, and despite the charges, O’Kane holds the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law, a cornerstone of the U.S. legal system. Further updates will be provided as the legal proceedings continue.
