A convicted sex offender who attacked a Bally's Atlantic City housekeeper in 2018 may receive a reduced sentence following a recent appeals court ruling.

Jamel Carlton, found guilty in April 2022 of aggravated sexual assault and related charges, was initially sentenced to 42 years in prison. The state appeals court has now ruled that a jury, rather than a judge, should determine if an extended sentence is warranted.

The incident occurred on February 10, 2018, when Carlton committed two separate assaults within hours. Initially arrested at 5:30 a.m. for domestic assault against his girlfriend at Bally's, he was released with a court summons. Upon returning to the hotel, he sexually assaulted a 51-year-old housekeeper, who required hospitalization and was unable to return to work due to trauma.

The appeals court found that Superior Court Judge Pamela D'Arcy violated Carlton's Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights during sentencing. They also ruled that his prior out-of-state felony convictions should not have influenced the sentence length.

The case sparked significant change in New Jersey's hospitality industry. Following the attack, the state became the first to mandate panic buttons for staff in hotels with more than 100 rooms, responding to demands from union representatives and hotel workers concerned about their safety.

Carlton's original charges typically carry a 10-20 year sentence, but prosecutors sought a longer term due to his criminal history and the attack's severity. He was ultimately apprehended after fleeing from police along Atlantic Avenue.

Related Articles

Previous Articles