REPORT: Inmate at Jefferson County jail claims sexual assault by correctional officer, lawsuit alleges

WATERTOWN- A inmate from the Jefferson County jail says she was sexually assaulted by a correctional officer, suggests a $20-million lawsuit.

According to the latest from WWNY-TV, this lawsuit was filed in the State Supreme Court last Friday against the county and the Sheriff’s Office.

It’s reported that the plaintiff is represented by Attorney Adam Slater. The woman he represents was an inmate at the jail in 2015.

She alleges that a male correctional officer forcibly kissed her and fondled her, all while in the jail cell. Slater says his client complained, but apparently nothing was done.

“We have enough evidence to prove our case in our opinion and we will only strengthen it as we move through the discovery process,” Slater told reporters.

County attorney David Paulsen told reporters that county officials do not believe any of what is alleged in the lawsuit actually occurred.

However, Paulsen did say a CO with a similar name to that of the one in this lawsuit resigned in 2017 after the county investigated a complaint that the CO had unauthorized social contact with female inmates.

Paulsen went on to explain that the woman, who is now suing the county, gave a statement to the Sheriff’s Office that year. Paulsen says the woman “denied” the CO ever had physical contact with her.

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