The names of three county jail guards accused of sexual misconduct with female inmates have not been released yet as details are being collected for a probable cause hearing.
However, the Yazoo County Regional Correctional Facility guards have been placed on administrative leave, and one guard has confessed to investigators that the allegations were true.
Terry Gann, chief investigator with the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department, said the alleged incidents occurred on Dec. 19 and Dec. 20 with three guards and two female inmates.
“It has been alleged that one guard had sexual contact with two female inmates on Dec. 19,” Gann said. “It has also been alleged that two guards had sex with one of those female inmates on Dec. 20.”
Gann said the names of the guards have not been released because no one has been charged as of press time.
“If a judge finds probable cause, then one of the guards will be charged with two counts of sex with an inmate by an officer,” Gann said. “The other two guards will be charged with one count each of sex with an inmate by an officer. These incidents would not be considered rape because it was consensual. However, it is still very much illegal.”
Gann also added that one of the guards did admit to one incident on Dec 19.
Gann said the investigation was sparked last Sunday after one of the female inmates contacted a family member about the incident.
“I immediately went to the jail and spoke with the two inmates,” Gann said. “One of the guards accused was also working that night, and I interviewed him as well.”
In the midst of Gann’s investigation, the state inmates held on the other side of the facility also began a riot during his questioning.
“There were two deaths of two gang members reported at another facility,” Gann said. “The news reached our facility, which led to a riot. Three of our state inmates were hospitalized, with one remaining in serious condition.”
Gann said he continues piecing together his investigation, which will be presented to a judge to determine if there is enough evidence to press charges against the three guards.
