Prosecutors say contraband cell phones led investigators to an alleged nearly two-year relationship

A federal corrections officer from Middlesex County is accused of carrying on a nearly two-year sexual relationship with a male inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution at Fort Dix, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Jordan Pensak, 27, is charged with one count of sexual abuse of an individual in federal custody, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced Wednesday.

According to the complaint, Pensak began working in the inmate’s housing unit in April 2024, and prosecutors allege the relationship began shortly afterward. They say Pensak and the inmate had sex multiple times inside an office at the Burlington County prison and paid other inmates to act as lookouts, warning them if correctional officers approached.

The investigation began after correctional officers recovered two contraband cell phones from inmates in August and October 2025, according to the complaint. Prosecutors allege investigators found more than 100 sexually explicit photographs and videos depicting Pensak or the inmate, along with Instagram messages documenting their relationship.

Investigators later obtained search warrants for Pensak’s cellphone and Instagram account, as well as the inmate’s social media accounts. Prosecutors allege the records showed the two exchanged sexually explicit photographs and messages over social media and other electronic applications for months.

The complaint also alleges Pensak acknowledged the relationship in text messages sent to several people, including members of the inmate’s family. In one exchange cited by prosecutors, she allegedly admitted investigators could prove both the sexual relationship and the inmate’s possession of contraband cell phones. When asked whether she knew she could go to jail, prosecutors say she replied, “Yes I know.”

Prosecutors also allege Pensak expressed concern in text messages that she might be pregnant with the inmate’s child and discussed taking a pregnancy test.

Pensak made her initial appearance July 28 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal in Camden and was released on bail.

If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

The FBI and the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph McFarlane of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division is prosecuting it.

Pensak’s attorney, Mark Catanzaro, declined to comment.

The criminal complaint contains allegations only. Pensak is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.