California correctional officers fired for sexually abusing inmates at federal women's prison plead guilty
An investigation initiated last year into the Dublin Federal Correctional Institution revealed a harrowing culture of rampant abuse
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Two correctional officers who were fired amid an investigation that they were sexually abusing inmates at a federal women’s prison in California pleaded guilty Thursday to multiple felony counts.
Andrew Jones, a former cook supervisor at Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, pleaded guilty to six felony charges of sexual abuse of three women he supervised. Nakie Nunley, a guard at the prison call center, pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual abuse and five lesser felonies of abusive sexual contact with five women.
Both also pleaded guilty to making false statements to the government
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Their pleas come after an investigation by The Associated Press last year at the facility revealed a harrowing culture of rampant abuse and subsequent cover-ups. Dublin, California, is located approximately 40 miles east of San Francisco.
The Dublin Federal Correctional Institution is photographed on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019 in Dublin, California. (Anda Chu/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
The former officers will be sentenced at a later date.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nunley wrote in his plea agreement that during an incident with an inmate in May 2021, he called her into his office, solicited sexual conduct and told her he could make her time in prison easier or more difficult. She complied with his request.
The Federal Correctional Institution stands in Dublin, California, Dec. 5, 2022. Two former officers the women’s prison pleaded guilty Thursday, July 13, 2023, to multiple counts of sexual abuse. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Jones and Nunley are at least the seventh and eighth former employees charged with abusing inmates after the former warden and chaplain were prosecuted last year.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In December, the prison's former warden Ray Garcia was convicted of molesting inmates and forcing them to pose naked in their cells. He was sentenced to serve six years in prison.
Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin is photographed in Dublin, California. (Anda Chu/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
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Sexual activity between a prison worker and an inmate is not permitted. Correctional employees, who enjoy substantial power over inmates, can abuse this authority.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Associated Press contributed to this report.