Corrections Officer Strangled, Threatened Woman In Morris Co., Feds Say

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A federal corrections officer was arrested and charged in connection with a domestic violence attack in which he strangled a woman and cut her abdomen with a knife, Morris County officials said.

Patrick J. O'Kane, 45, of Exeter, Pennsylvania, has been charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a weapon and related firearm charges for his role in the Oct. 5 attack in Mount Olive.

O'Kane, a corrections officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, was traveling with the victim and a photographer to take pictures at a local campground when the attack occurred, according to police.

While in the car, an argument ensued over a text message the victim received, which escalated into a physical altercation resulting in O'Kane allegedly strangling the victim, cutting her with a knife in the abdomen and pointing a gun at her while threatening to kill her, police said.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office said that the attack remains under investigation and the name and identity of the victim will not be released.

"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," Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said in a statement.

O'Kane, who was arrested on the day of the alleged attack, is being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility awaiting future court proceedings, police said.

"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," Carroll added.

Victims of domestic violence can access resources at the Morris County Family Justice Center, located at 10 Court St., 4th Floor in Morristown. The Morris Family Justice Center can be reached at 973-829-4050.

For more information, visit their website at morrisfjc.org or contact the Domestic Violence Abuse hotline at 1-877-R-U-ABUSED.