A former jail worker is facing trial after she was charged earlier this year for having sex with an inmate multiple times.
The trial is set for 12 August and will see Kayla Mae Bergom, 27, take to the stand, facing three counts of sexual misconduct.
Kayla's relations with the inmate were said to have occurred between 2020 and 2021 at the Tama County Jail, Iowa.
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The inmate in question was a 29-year-old man and the incidents were said to have occurred in the prison's utility closet and recreation yard, as stated by a complaint registered against Kayla.
Following the incidents, Kayla resigned and pleaded not guilty in May.
If Kayla is found guilty, she could be facing some serious punishment, given that staff-inmate sex is illegal under federal law.
A 2005 report Department of Justice Office of Inspector General stated that: "Even if a sexual act would have been considered consensual if it occurred outside of a prison, by statute it is criminal sexual abuse when it occurs inside a prison.
"For example, staff sexual abuse can corrupt prison staff and lead to other dangers, such as staff smuggling drugs or weapons into prison facilities for inmates."
Meanwhile the Prison Rape Elimination Commission said in a June 2009 report that: "Prisoners should never be punished for sexual contact with staff, even if the encounter was allegedly consensual. The power imbalance between staff and prisoners vitiates the possibility of meaningful consent, and the threat of punishment would deter prisoners from reporting sexual misconduct by staff."
New York City Council Member Mark Treyger reiterated the severity of these alleged offences, saying: "The power dynamic in these circumstances is such that the person in custody is incapable of consenting to sexual activity. This common-sense law will ensure that moving forward officers who abuse their authority and engage in this type of coercive sexual behaviour will be held accountable."
Clearly, the incident isn't to be taken lightly and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are handling the case.
Kayla will stand trial later this month and she could be facing up to six years in prison if found guilty of the three charges against her.
Kayla was said to have worked for the jail for three years prior to the incident, Tama County Sheriff Dennis Kucera said Bergom resigned immediately after the accusations were made.
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Shola Lee