Monmouth County corrections officer arrested in Atlantic City assault

FREEHOLD - A Monmouth County corrections officer has been suspended and arrested for her part in an assault at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, authorities said.

Keila Diaz, 47, of Freehold was arrested on aggravated assault and simple assault charges, according to Atlantic City Police.

Diaz was also suspended without pay from the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, Cynthia Scott, spokesperson for the office, said. Her salary is $92,944.

At 2:56 a.m. Sunday, Atlantic City Police responded to the Quarter at Tropicana for a physical altercation involving several people, police said. During their investigation, Diaz and a second person, Damian Pineyro, were arrested.

Allegedly, Pineyro began to harass the male and female victims, a couple, for an unknown reason, police said. The victims tried to leave the area, but the woman was punched in the face by Pineyro. After she fell to the ground, Pineyro began to assault the man. While doing so, Pineyro pulled out a knife and lunged without making any contact.

Diaz began to assault the woman by kicking and punching her in the head, causing her to lose consciousness, police said. The woman was taken to a local medical center to be treated for a non-life-threatening injury.

Pineyro, 35, of Hazlet, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and terroristic threats, police said.

Diaz and Pineyro were released on a summons with a future court date, according to police.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 609-347-5766 or submit a text anonymously to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD, police said.

Jenna Calderón covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth County corrections officer arrested in Atlantic City assault