An Ocean City police sergeant honored as a “pillar of the community” is now accused of sexually assaulting a girl beginning when she was 15 years old.
Sgt. Tyrone Rolls, a nearly 25-year veteran of the Ocean City Police Department, turned himself in to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, and was released from the Cape May County Correctional Center the same day, records show.
Rolls, 50, is charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault of a domestic violence victim and two counts of official misconduct.
The alleged victim, now 20, came to police in January, saying she and Rolls had been in a sexual relationship beginning when she was 15 years old.
The two first kissed in his patrol vehicle while he was on duty the day before the start of her sophomore at Ocean City High School in 2016, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC. Rolls, a 25-year veteran of the department, graduated from the same school in 1990.
The two had sexual intercourse for the first time when she was 16 years old at his home in Marmora, she told police.
The relationship has allegedly continued for years.
Rolls struck the woman with an open hand during a verbal altercation around Dec. 31, 2020 or Jan. 1, 2021, the affidavit claims.
She told police she stayed on the ground, fearful that he would strike her again.
"Now you know what it is like to be hit," he allegedly told the woman when he hit her.
Rolls is currently on administrative leave.
He has received many accolades in the past, including receiving the key to the city in 2017, and being honored with the Lonnie Allgood “Dreams for Kids” Community Hero Award in 2019.
Rolls “has been a mentor and role model for children and families in the area through his role as a police officer, coach and well-respected, lifelong member of this community,” reads a plaque dedicated to him in the Ocean City Historical Museum honoring the city’s High School alumni all-stars.
“Encouraging high standards in sports, academics, life, character and civic duty, Tyrone is truly a pillar in the community, “ the plaque reads.
Note: This story originally ran April 7, 2021. It has been updated to include details from the affidavit of probable cause.
