Post by CC on Apr 15, 2009 16:24:45 GMT -5
Worker pleads guilty to sex with inmates
By David Winters
Published: 04/14/2009
CANTON — A former Gouverneur Correctional Facility employee admitted to having sex with an inmate.
Lisa A. Vaughn, 41, Carthage, pleaded guilty Monday in St. Lawrence County Court to felony third-degree rape. The plea agreement calls for her to receive 10 years probation and register as a sex offender when sentenced May 18.
She was accused of having sexual intercourse and oral sex with four inmates, which apparently started sometime in 2006. She also was accused of sneaking food, cigarettes and postage stamps to inmates. She was a laundry supervisor at the medium-security state prison.
Ms. Vaughn was charged in November with 16 counts each of third-degree rape, third-degree criminal sexual act and official misconduct and four counts of second-degree promoting prison contraband.
She was charged with third-degree rape and third-degree criminal sexual act because by state law, inmates are incapable of giving consent, prosecutors said.
Defense attorney Gary W. Miles said she hasn't resigned from her position, but called her a victim.
"The prosecution's claim is that Ms. Vaughn intimidated sentenced felons in the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections system into having sex with her," defense attorney Gary W. Miles said. "I don't believe that happened at all. I think that the intimidation went the other way."
The state Corrections Department has a zero-tolerance policy for sex abuse, especially for prison workers and inmates having sex.
"The employee pleaded guilty to the crime," corrections spokesman Erik J. Kriss said. "There's no such thing as consensual sex with an inmate, it's a crime."
By David Winters
Published: 04/14/2009
CANTON — A former Gouverneur Correctional Facility employee admitted to having sex with an inmate.
Lisa A. Vaughn, 41, Carthage, pleaded guilty Monday in St. Lawrence County Court to felony third-degree rape. The plea agreement calls for her to receive 10 years probation and register as a sex offender when sentenced May 18.
She was accused of having sexual intercourse and oral sex with four inmates, which apparently started sometime in 2006. She also was accused of sneaking food, cigarettes and postage stamps to inmates. She was a laundry supervisor at the medium-security state prison.
Ms. Vaughn was charged in November with 16 counts each of third-degree rape, third-degree criminal sexual act and official misconduct and four counts of second-degree promoting prison contraband.
She was charged with third-degree rape and third-degree criminal sexual act because by state law, inmates are incapable of giving consent, prosecutors said.
Defense attorney Gary W. Miles said she hasn't resigned from her position, but called her a victim.
"The prosecution's claim is that Ms. Vaughn intimidated sentenced felons in the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections system into having sex with her," defense attorney Gary W. Miles said. "I don't believe that happened at all. I think that the intimidation went the other way."
The state Corrections Department has a zero-tolerance policy for sex abuse, especially for prison workers and inmates having sex.
"The employee pleaded guilty to the crime," corrections spokesman Erik J. Kriss said. "There's no such thing as consensual sex with an inmate, it's a crime."