Two King County Jail corrections officers were charged today with custodial sexual misconduct for having sexual contact with a female inmate at the King County Jail in Seattle.

Cedric McGrew, 40, is charged with one count of custodial sexual misconduct in the first degree for having a female inmate perform oral sex on him. The other defendant, Louis Laurencio, 45, is charged with one count of custodial sexual misconduct in the second degree for having sexual contact with the same inmate and taking photographs of her breasts with his digital camera.

The allegations involve two incidents which occurred last March at the King County Jail facility in downtown Seattle. McGrew and Laurencio were arrested in May after the 28-year-old woman disclosed the incidents to investigators.

The crime of custodial sexual misconduct was established by the Washington State Legislature in 1999. It prohibits sexual intercourse (first degree) or sexual contact (second degree) between an inmate of a correctional facility and an employee of a correctional facility.

The alleged sexual misconduct must occur under circumstances where the perpetrator has (or the victim reasonably believes the perpetrator has) the ability to influence the terms, conditions, length or fact of incarceration or correctional supervision. Consent of the victim is not a defense to prosecution under this law.

Custodial sexual misconduct in the first degree is a class C felony that carries a sentence range of 6 to 12 months in jail and a possible fine of up to $10,000. Custodial sexual misconduct in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor that carries a sentence range of up to one year in jail and a possible fine of up to $5,000.

"The conduct alleged in this case is completely unacceptable in a professional jail environment," said King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng. "We have filed the maximum charges available and will push for a speedy trial," he added.

McGrew and Laurencio remain out of custody on their own recognizance pending arraignment on December 15 at the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle. Both have been placed on administrative leave. Prosecutors have requested that they be ordered to have no contact with the victim or witnesses in this case.

Dated: December 7, 2005