Oct. 3, 2002--
News
Specialist Jed Boal reports.
The corrections officer has been on leave from the
prison since the inmate made the charges, and he was
arrested Thursday afternoon. The victim's mother is
angry this could happen, but relieved prosecutors will
pursue the case.
Irene / Victim's Mother: "THE
THINGS THEY'VE DONE TO HER IS
TERRIBLE."
Irene says her daughter has been in juvenile detention
and now prison since she was 16, and says she has
suffered abuse throughout. Even before this rape
charge, Irene contacted a lawyer and drew up a suit
against the state.
Irene / Victim's Mother: "SHE'S
SCARED. SHE'S REALLY SCARED."
Now, Louis Poleate is charged with raping her
daughter September 17th.
The 19-year-old inmate
told investigators Poleate was supposed to be
escorting her to the infirmary for medical tests. Instead
he allegedly took her to a gatehouse and forced her to
have sex with him.
According to court papers, the inmate asked the
officer to stop several times. A nurse told investigators
the inmate had abrasions and lacerations consistent
with rape, and they're still waiting for D.N.A. results.
David Yocom/District Attorney: "WE
CONSIDER IT A VERY, VERY SERIOUS
CHARGE, AND ONE WE'LL PURSUE
VIGOROUSLY. THE INMATES AT THE
PRISON ARE VERY VULNERABLE TO THIS
TYPE OF THING."
A prison spokesperson says the staff had no reason to
question the officer when he said he was taking the
woman to the infirmary, since she didn't speak up and
say she had no reason to go. The spokesperson also
says the officer had an exceptional record as an
employee.
If convicted, the corrections officer faces a sentence
of five years to life. The D.A. says when the people in
trust take advantage of the inmates, he takes it very
seriously.
