A prison guard in the state of Iowa, USA, was arrested on suspicion of having sex with an inmate. 27-year-old Kayla Mae Bergum was charged with three counts of illicit relations with an inmate while she worked at the Tama Detention Center.
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The findings of the investigation revealed that the former warden had a sexual relationship with the 29-year-old prisoner, whose details were not published, between the years 2020 – 2021. It is suspected that Bagrom and the prisoner slept at least once in a utility closet and twice in the yard of the correctional facility and were “caught red-handed” on by an anonymous source.
Tama County Sheriff Dennis Cushear commented on the conviction and noted that the woman had worked there for about three years, and announced her resignation in May 2022. He did not reveal details about the arrested man. Also, the investigation of the case was carried out following a complaint by the anonymous party.
The organization Interrogating Justice, which helps uncover corruption cases in the American law enforcement agencies, made it clear that an intimate relationship between prison guards and prisoners is against the law. “Federal law does not allow a female prison guard to have sex with a warden, for the simple reason that legally prisoners cannot express consent,” the announcement stated. “A jailer who is convicted of sexual offenses against a prisoner can find himself in prison for 15 years.”
Prison (Photo: Gili Yaari, Flash 90)The indictment against Bagrom was filed in May, shortly after she resigned from her position. She pleaded guilty and if she is convicted of her actions, she is expected to be sentenced to up to six years in prison. The court will hear her case on August 12.