Rockland Correction Officer allegedly put laxative in female coworkers coffee
Rockland County corrections officer pleads not guilty in alleged workplace incident. Prosecutors say Russell Thorne is accused of putting a laxative pill in a coworker’s coffee
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A Rockland County corrections officer pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges connected to an incident that allegedly occurred while he was on duty earlier this year.
Russell Thorne, a 63-year-old corrections officer from Greenwood Lake, appeared in Rockland County Court as a defendant. Prosecutors say the incident happened on February 17 while he was working at the Rockland County jail.
According to the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, a woman who worked with Thorne left her coffee cup unattended. Thorne is accused of then placing something in her drink. When she returned, took a sip, and spat out a pill, it was later identified as a laxative.
Thorne is facing charges including second-degree and third-degree attempted assault, official misconduct, prison contraband in the second degree, obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, and criminal tampering in the third degree. He has pleaded not guilty in court to Judge David Ascher during his arraignment on Tuesday morning. The judge issued an order of protection for the alleged victim.
After the arraignment, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh said, "We believe that it was a horrendous act of workplace violence. People in their employment should feel safe and secure."
Thorne has been a corrections officer for nearly 15 years. Public data shows he earned $128,354 in 2025.
In a statement, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office said it immediately began investigating once the allegations were reported, and it remains "dedicated to ensuring the safety of all individuals and to upholding the integrity of law enforcement."
The sheriff's office said it will continue cooperating with the district attorney’s office.
