Bally's AC Sex Assault Case: 42-Year Prison Term May Be Reduced
A violent sexual assault at Bally's Atlantic City in 2018 could see the perpetrator's 42-year prison sentence reduced following an appeals court ruling.
Jamel Carlton was convicted in April 2022 of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, burglary, aggravated assault, and criminal restraint for attacking a housekeeper at the casino hotel.
Man's face close-up portrait
The state appeals court found that Superior Court Judge Pamela D'Arcy violated Carlton's Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights during sentencing. The ruling states a jury, not a judge, should determine whether an extended sentence applies. Additionally, the court ruled Carlton's prior out-of-state felony convictions shouldn't have influenced his sentence.
The attack occurred on February 10, 2018, following an earlier incident that same day. Carlton was initially arrested at 5:30 a.m. for assaulting his girlfriend at Bally's. After being released with a court summons at 9 a.m., he returned to the hotel where he sexually assaulted a 51-year-old housekeeper, leaving her hospitalized and traumatized.
Police identified Carlton through security footage and arrested him after a foot chase on Atlantic Avenue.
The incident sparked significant changes in hotel worker safety. Following demands from union representatives and workers, New Jersey became the first state to mandate panic buttons for staff in hotels with over 100 rooms, setting a precedent for worker protection in the hospitality industry.
Related Articles
Florida Construction Worker Awarded $4.45M Settlement After Devastating Electrocution Injury
