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Former detention officer accused of sexually assaulting an inmate being transferred between jails

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published January 28, 2026 at 7:01 AM EST
Investigators say Carl Cohen was transporting a female inmate between the Albemarle District Jail and Currituck County when the victim reported she was sexually assaulted.
Camden County Sheriff’s Office
Investigators say Carl Cohen was transporting a female inmate between the Albemarle District Jail and Currituck County when the victim reported she was sexually assaulted.

A former detention officer is behind bars, facing charges for a sexual assault that allegedly occurred while he was on duty.

Fifty-two-year-old Carl Steven Cohen of Perquimans County was arrested Friday following a joint investigation by Camden and Currituck County authorities.

The charges stem from an incident in December. Investigators say Cohen was transporting a female inmate between the Albemarle District Jail and Currituck County when the victim reported she was sexually assaulted.

Cohen, who has since resigned, now faces felony charges of first degree kidnapping, second degree forcible rape, and sexual activity by a custodian.

In a statement, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office called the alleged conduct a "profound breach of public trust."

Cohen is currently being held in the Dare County Detention Center with no bond.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
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