A state probation officers pleaded guilty to taking bribes from a man serving probation.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- A state probation officer pleaded guilty Monday to accepting bribes in exchange for ensuring a drug offender passed required drug tests and met the terms of his probation.
Rhonda Battle, 48, of Roselle, pleaded guilty to official misconduct, saying she accepted bribes, including $400 in December 2014, from the man who regularly reported to her for probation, according to a statement from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Under a plea agreement, Battle -- who worked with clients admitted to the state drug court program at the Middlesex County Courthouse -- is expected to serve three years in state prison. She will not be eligible for parole until having served at least two years of her sentence.
She will also forfeit public employment and will be forever banned from holding a public job in New Jersey, according to officials.
Battle admitted to "accepting the money to keep the client's name off a random drug-testing list, knowing he would test positive for drug abuse," the statement said.
Battle accepted the bribes between Jan. 1 2014 and Dec. 31, 2014, to ensure the man passed drug testing and avoided breaking the conditions of his court-ordered probationary term.
Sentencing will be held on June 16 before Superior Court Judge John M. Deitch in Elizabeth after a Superior Court judge moved the case from Middlesex County.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.