By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
A man who worked as a mental health associate at Princeton House pleaded not guilty Monday to sexually assaulting a female patient earlier this year, as his lawyer is seeking for authorities to give him a slap on the wrist.
Jonathan D. Hodges, 36, was arraigned on a charge of second-degree sexual assault before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert C. Billmeier, sitting in Trenton.
The Trenton man, indicted in August, faces up to 10 years in state prison if convicted of assaulting a 34-year-old woman Jan.28, the same day authorities say she was going to be released from the facility on Herrontown Road.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has claimed that the woman alleged Mr. Hodges “pushed himself against her” inside her room and then put his hand down her pants and in her underwear. Authorities charged him Feb.2 with the offense, also alleging that video surveillance showed him entering and leaving the woman’s room “several times” during a 14-minute span.
Princeton House, a division of Princeton HealthCare System, treats people with mental health and substance abuse problems.
In a statement Monday, Princeton HealthCare System said Mr. Hodges is employed by the system “pending the outcome of his court case.”
“His work does not involve any contact with patients, nor does he provide any services at Princeton House Behavioral Health,” the statement read.
Robin K. Lord, his defense lawyer, wants the Prosecutor’s Office to offer him pre-trial intervention, usually provided to low-level offenders that ends with their offenses being dismissed. The regular assistant prosecutor handling the case was away Monday, so authorities will have to decide what kind of plea bargain they make to him.
The judge continued his $50,000 bond and scheduled his next court date for Feb.5. Mr. Hodges declined to comment outside the courtroom.
