FORMER GUARD PLEADS GUILTY TO SEXUAL ABUSE OF A PERSON IN OFFICIAL DETENTION

(HOUSTON) - Nathan Jones, 30, of Houston, a former contract guard at the Leidel Comprehensive Sanction Center has pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a person in official detention, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. The Leidel Comprehensive Sanction Center is a half-way house located in Houston.

At a hearing today before United States District Court Judge Keith Ellison, Jones admitted that on Dec. 15, 2007, while employed as a contract guard at the Leidel Comprehensive Sanction Center, he engaged in a sexual act with a female federal prisoner. At the time, the victim was in official detention at the center and under the custodial, supervisory and disciplinary authority of Jones. The victim had told agents about the incident and Jones later admitted to agents and in a sworn affidavit that he had, in fact, taken the victim to his office where they engaged in a sexual act.

Jones is no longer employed at the center. He has been on bond and will remain on bond pending his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2009. He faces up to 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Ruben R. Perez is prosecuting the case for the government.

 

 

# # #