A North Brunswick woman who works as a prison guard had a sexual relationship with a federal inmate at Fort Dix and expressed concern that she might be pregnant with his child, federal prosecutors alleged today.
Jordan Pensak, 27, was charged with one count of sexually abusing an individual in federal custody, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said.
Pensak worked as a corrections officer at the low-security Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix in Burlington County. She allegedly began a relationship with an inmate after she was assigned to his unit in April 2024.
Federal law prohibits prison employees from engaging in sexual acts with individuals in federal custody, regardless of whether the relationship is described as consensual.
The inmate told investigators that he and Pensak had sex multiple times in an office at the prison and paid other inmates to serve as lookouts, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court.
Pensak is specifically accused of having sex with the inmate at Fort Dix on January 8.
Prison officials seized two contraband cell phones used by the inmate in August and October 2025. Investigators found more than 100 sexually explicit photographs and videos depicting Pensak or the inmate, along with messages discussing their relationship, the complaint alleges.
In one exchange after the Bureau of Prisons began investigating the relationship, Pensak allegedly said inmates had “snitched” and asserted that investigators could not prove anything. She also speculated that the inquiry might end if she quit her job.
But prosecutors say Pensak repeatedly acknowledged the relationship in messages to other people, including former and current inmates and members of the inmate’s family.
Pensak allegedly told one person that she and the inmate had sex on January 8 and that she took an emergency contraceptive two days later. Bureau of Prisons records show that she worked at Fort Dix on January 8, according to the complaint.
After her period was late, Pensak allegedly expressed concern that a pregnancy would make the investigation substantially worse. She also reportedly discussed the possibility with members of the inmate’s family, telling one relative that she could not keep the child because it would create problems at her job.
In a separate February exchange, an individual asked Pensak whether the trouble involving the inmate concerned “sex or contraband.”
“Both,” Pensak allegedly replied.
When the individual warned that she could be criminally charged and imprisoned, Pensak responded, “Yes I know,” the complaint says.
Pensak made her initial appearance Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Pascal in Camden and was released on bail.