A correction officer at Franklin County Jail was charged Thursday with sexually abusing a female inmate.
Ronald S. Martin, 36, of St. Regis Falls was charged with second-degree sexual abuse and official misconduct.
State Police say the abuse occurred April 10, while Martin was working as a correction officer at the County Jail and the woman was incarcerated there.
Sheriff Jack Pelkey said he suspended Martin without pay April 30 and asked the State Police to conduct an investigation, which ended in the arrest Thursday.
The sheriff was careful with his comments so as not to jeopardize the investigation but said two other women being held at the jail had complained about Martin's actions toward the 24-year-old female.
"Two female inmates approached a guard and said something's going on with a guard and another female," Pelkey said.
"They thought his behavior was inappropriate for a correction officer and didn't think it was right what he was doing to the other female."
Pelkey said he could not elaborate on what Martin is accused of doing, saying only that it was alleged "sexual contact" with the woman.
If a woman is in jail, she cannot legally give consent to any sexual act, the sheriff noted.
Martin has been employed by the county since March 31, 2000, first as a per-diem correction officer and then as full-time employee as of Aug. 3, 2001, according to the Franklin County Personnel Office.
He was released without bail and is to appear in Malone Town Court at 9 a.m. next Thursday.
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http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=10324658
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