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Highlands Today

Deputy Resigns Amid Allegation of Security Breach

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By Dan  Fearson | Highlands Today

Published: January 7, 2008

SEBRING--The details of an internal investigation by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office regarding a detention center deputy leaving two male inmates unattended in a female housing area were released Monday.

A male inmate allegedly made sexual contact with a female inmate, allegedly putting his fingers "inside" of a female inmate and grabbing his genitalia according to his witness statement to a sheriff's office internal investigator.

A memorandum signed by Sheriff Susan Benton, written by Maj. David Paeplow states that an internal investigation was completed by Lt. Gus Garcia over a possible breach of security which allegedly occurred between Oct. 28-29, 2007 and likely led to sexual contact between inmates.

Garcia's internal report indicates that Deputy Erica Crosson left male inmates unattended, leaving slider doors and a dayroom door open, allowing male trust to access female inmates. As a result of this Garcia indicated that "some type of sexual contact most likely took between one of the male trusty and a female inmate."

Crosson resigned from the sheriff's office on Dec. 21.

The memorandum concludes by Paeplow saying that "as a result of the findings of this investigation and (Crosson's) history of previous disciplinary action, I am recommending that Crosson be separated from employment from the Sheriff's Office."

An administrative review signed by Garcia says male inmates were cleaning female housing unit floors when the incident took place. In the review, Garcia states that during his investigation Crosson chose to interfere with proceedings by contacting another deputy who was also on duty at the time of the alleged incident.

Garcia's report says Crosson "made inappropriate contact with (the deputy) twice by conversing about the case, specifically about the open door issue, after she was made aware she was the subject of this investigation."

Crosson allegedly told the other deputy that the "doors were closed the whole time"; reportedly after she found out the investigation was taking place.

For a complete story please read Wednesday's Highlands Today.

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