Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
A former Bucks County corrections officer accused of engaging in some creepy behavior entered a no contest plea this week.
Joseph Mullen, 29, of Feasterville, entered his no contest plea on charges of official oppression and harassment. He was charged in
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Judge Raymond McHugh sentenced Mullen to probation, community service, fines and no contact with the victims. He also ordered the corrections officers, who worked at the county facility in Doylestown, to not seek employment in law enforcement or corrections, according to court records.
According to the months-long grand jury investigation, Mullen often promised to lessen punishments stipulated against inmates if they showed him their penis, played patty-cake or hugged one another.One inmate testified that Mullen would constantly make comments of a sexual nature and ask inmates about homosexual situations.
The report stated inmates did not report the incidents for fear of embarrassment or retaliation by Mullen, or not being believed by other officers of the correctional facility.
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If inmates didn’t do what Mullen asked of them he would often submit them to a strip search, for which a sergeant was not present for, or search their cell, according to inmate testimony. The one inmate who was subject to the strip searches, a Bristol resident, told the grand jury he did not report the alleged improper actions by Mullen because he was afraid there would repercussions.
A female prison guard even wanted to get a new partner after Mullen made comments that made her uncomfortable.
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According to the the grand jury report, the investigative body determined “the only reason for Mullen to engage in this conduct was to harass, demean and humiliate the inmates involved.”
County spokesman Chris Edwards said Mullen had worked for the county since November 8, 2010.
