Federal authorities have charged Jordan Pensak, 27, of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States with sexual abuse. This was after the Federal Bureau of Investigation probed an ongoing sexual relationship with a federal inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fort Dix at Fort Dix, a U.S. Army post in Burlington County, New Jersey.
Jordan Pensak
Pensak worked as a corrections officer at FCI Fort Dix. She is married.
According to the criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors, Pensak allegedly engaged in a multi-month consensual sexual relationship with an inmate stationed at the low-security Burlington County facility. Investigators revealed that the sexual encounters took place in an office inside the prison. To maintain secrecy, the inmate allegedly paid other incarcerated individuals to act as lookouts during their meetings.
The relationship was uncovered after federal agents seized two contraband cellphones used by the inmate. Forensic analysis of the devices uncovered over 100 explicit photographs and videos, as well as extensive message logs between Pensak and the inmate professing their mutual affection. Subsequent search warrants served on associated social media accounts revealed additional communications between Pensak, the inmate, and members of his family.
Court records highlight that Pensak was aware of the criminal nature of her actions and knew she was under investigation after hearing rumors that other inmates had reported the conduct to prison supervisors. In messages reviewed by federal agents, Pensak discussed potential strategies to avoid detection, including quitting her position at the facility. Text messages from early 2026 also revealed an apparent pregnancy scare, in which Pensak expressed concern over the potential personal and legal fallout if she were pregnant with the inmate’s child while married.
Under federal law, any sexual contact between a corrections officer and an inmate in their custody is classified as sexual abuse due to the inherent imbalance of power, regardless of consent. Pensak faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted on the charge. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey confirmed the ongoing investigation into security breaches at the facility.
The North Brunswick woman was formally charged in federal court in Camden, Camden County, New Jersey with one count of sexual abuse of an individual in federal custody. On July 28, 2026, she made her initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal in Camden and was subsequently released on bail while criminal proceedings move forward.
Fort Dix
Throughout the 20th century, Fort Dix played a vital role in national defense, serving as a primary basic training center and mobilization hub through World War II, the Vietnam War, and subsequent international operations. In 2009, the installation consolidated with neighboring facilities to form Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, creating the Department of Defense’s first tri-service joint base combining Air Force, Army, and Navy operations.
Spanning over 30,000 acres, the installation now primarily functions under the Army Support Activity to support reserve components, National Guard training, and active-duty deployments. Additionally, the property houses the FCI Fort Dix, a low-security facility managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons that holds the distinction of being the largest federal prison by inmate population in the U.S.
CONAN Daily 