James Trentin, a 58 year old guard at the Prarie Du Chien (WI) Correctional facility, has been charged with 22 counts of sexual assault and 6 counts of bringing contraband to inmates.
According to the criminal complaint, Trentin brought in contraband for the inmates including chewing tobacco, candy bars, cologne and other items in exchange for sexual favors.
All of the acts happened at the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution between July 2007 and January, and involved inmates in their late teens and early 20s, according to the 14-page criminal complaint filed by Vernon County District Attorney Tim Gaskell, special prosecutor on the case.
The inmates all reported Trentin performed oral sex on them numerous times after bribing them with contraband, including money, coffee, vodka and orange juice, chewing tobacco, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, candy and cologne, according to the complaint.“If you continue to take care of me, I’ll take care of you. You won’t have any problems,” Trentin told one inmate, according to the complaint.
The incidents occurred in a prison telephone room, shower, custodial closet and cells, sometimes when Trentin was the only officer in the unit, according to the complaint.
They say Trentin also sent money orders to the inmates' prison accounts. Investigators say a handwriting expert confirmed it was Trentin's handwriting on the money orders.
Trentin faces 40 years on each sexual assault charge. He started as a correctional officer at the institution in October of 2000, and his jobs included providing transportation, security, and monitoring of inmates.
“The Department of Corrections has zero tolerance for any staff sexual misconduct,” a Wiscsonsin Department of Corrections spokesman said. “The misconduct detailed in the allegations is certainly not reflective of the vast majority of the staff at the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution or the Department of Corrections.”
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3 comments:
This is a total fabrication. The officer in questions would never in a million years do any thing like this. He is respected by all of his colleagues, a straight arrow who enforces all the rules and regulations. This has made him the target of several inmates with a history of problems with staff members.
Thank you Fredad. Don't you love how all these people become judge and jury. They don't even know the facts. Are they aware that the WI DOC has a policy that virtually sets up the officers to fail on these accusations. All the inmate has to do to do is make one and cops come in an interview the officer. Yeah, I've seen it done and guess what - they found out later that the inmate lied. Wow that's new inmate's lie - huh?
OK, here is a problem I have, if they can drag the officers name and plaster it all over the web, why not do the same with the inmates, to me this sounds like a set up. maybe the officer would not turn his back while the inmates did illegal activities or they have it out for this guy and the only way to get back at him is to run his name down to the ground. it dont matter if he wins or lose in court, he will still be out of a job, who would go back to a job that didnt support you? and i thought your suppose to be innocent til proven guilty, not the other way around.
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