Allegations Of Chocolate For Sex In King County Jail

Summary

3 King County jailers are suspended for investigation of allegedly offering chocolate and alcohol to female inmates for sex shows.

Story Published: Jun 7, 2005 at 2:03 PM PST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 12:58 AM PST

Allegations Of Chocolate For Sex In King County Jail
KING COUNTY - First, it was allegations of sexual abuse by guards inside the King County Jail.

Now, we're hearing reports guards traded chocolate for sex.

And, there are allegations of drugs and alcohol for sex as well.

Three King County jailers are suspended; each under investigation for sexual misconduct inside the jail's walls.

The suspensions come after a female inmate told police one jailer forced her to have oral sex in the recreation room. She also accused another jailer of inappropriately touching her and taking a photo of her naked breast.

Investigators searched both guard's lockers, And according to court papers, inside one locker were numerous photos of nude women and "stacks" of sexually explicit letters written by female inmates.

And that's not all.

According to the court documents, two inmates claim two jail guards offered them marijuana and tequila in exchange for a show -- they thought that meant a sex act. And published reports allege those same guards offered the inmates candy bars for sex.

"Any compensation for sex, whether it's favors, candy, or money even outside the jail, is against the law, it's prostitution," says King County Sheriff's Office Spokesman John Urquhart.

Urquhart says he can't confirm if allegations of chocolate for sex are real. He told me he doesn't know.

All he will say is that investigators are now casting a bigger net.

"The investigation is expanding, but at this point we don't know how many other people are involved or if they're involved together," says Urquhart.

The Seattle Times quotes an unnamed source who's fingered five more guards involved in what appears to be a possible jail house sex ring. But, Urquhart is skeptical.

"I don't care how well the Seattle Times or newspaper outlet verifies what they're saying, if someone doesn't want to go on the record, then I'm very suspicious and I don't like it," says Urquhart.

Three guards are suspended pending the investigation. The case has been forwarded to the prosecutor's office, who got the OK from a judge to put a recording device on the female inmate to record conversations between her and the guards.