In April 2020, Volunteers of America outreach workers Sherrise Hoskins and Almeen Palmer intervened in an attempted sexual assault in Atlantic City. Arriving to offer services to a 61-year-old woman, they found Joseph Lewis assaulting her. The workers restrained Lewis until police arrived, and the victim was treated for injuries at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Campus.

Joseph Lewis, 51, of Atlantic City, was charged with attempted sexual assault, aggravated assault, and contempt of court. In June 2022, he pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted sexual assault and was sentenced to five years in prison, with four years and three months of parole ineligibility. He is also required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to lifetime supervision upon release.

Please note that legal proceedings are ongoing, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.