Correctional Officer at FCI Dublin Charged for Abusive Sexual Contact with Female Inmate | OPA

Enrique Chavez appeared Tuesday in federal court docket to face a federal indictment charging him with two counts of abusive sexual call against a prison inmate at the Federal Correctional Institute Dublin (FCI Dublin).

“Above all else, the Bureau of Prisons is charged with delivering safe and sound and humane treatment method of all who are in their custody,” explained Deputy Legal professional Normal Lisa O. Monaco. “As this situation helps make very clear, the Office of Justice is committed to keeping BOP staff accountable, together with via criminal costs, when they fall short to uphold their obligation. Team misconduct, at any amount, will not be tolerated, and our attempts to root it out are considerably from around.”

“Inmates should by no means expertise sexual abuse at the arms of the Bureau of Prisons workforce, nevertheless five BOP personnel have not too long ago been billed with these abuse of inmates at FCI Dublin,” stated Inspector Typical Michael E. Horowitz of the Section of Justice Office environment of the Inspector Normal. “The security, security and integrity of federal prisons are of the utmost significance, and the Section of Justice Office environment of the Inspector Typical will continue to aggressively pursue allegations of abuse at FCI Dublin and across the BOP.”

“Correctional officers have a dependable responsibility to protect those under their authority,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds for the Northern District of California. “Sexually abusing inmates is a betrayal of that accountability and undermines a just penal procedure. My workplace is dedicated to pursuing expenses versus any person – such as federal employees – who abuse the public’s believe in in violation of federal legislation.”

“Holding a posture of ability arrives with wonderful responsibility. Chavez made a selection to abuse his authority and victimize inmates he was liable for overseeing,” explained Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Truthful of the FBI.  “Let this send a clear information that the FBI will look into and maintain accountable any and each individual person who commits an act like this, regardless of your title or authority.” 

According to the indictment unsealed these days, Chavez, 49, of Manteca, California, is employed as a correctional officer at FCI Dublin. FCI Dublin is a correctional institution that homes feminine prisoners and is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). On the dates of the billed crimes, Chavez was assigned to the placement of Cook Supervisor/Foreman. As a correctional officer, he supervised and had disciplinary authority over the female inmates incarcerated at FCI Dublin. Chavez was qualified in BOP insurance policies and processes, which bundled guidelines that sexual, financial and social interactions with inmates are prohibited. 

The indictment expenses two counts of abusive sexual get hold of by Chavez against a jail inmate transpiring on independent situations in October 2020.  In every single rely, the indictment alleges that Chavez engaged in intentional sexual get in touch with with “Victim 1.”  Victim 1 is discovered as a feminine inmate detained at FCI Dublin and therefore below the custodial, supervisory and disciplinary authority of Chavez. 

Chavez was arrested in Arizona on Sunday, March 20. His original court appearance occurred Tuesday, March 22, in U.S. District Court docket in Arizona, exactly where he is becoming held pending transfer to the U.S. District Court docket in Oakland to experience these fees. 

Chavez is charged with abusive sexual call with a prisoner in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(4).  Every of the two counts carries a most statutory sentence of two several years imprisonment, a three-year expression of supervised release, and a $250,000 wonderful. Having said that, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by a court docket only just after thing to consider of the U.S. Sentencing Tips and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The prices contained in the indictment are allegations. As in any prison scenario, the defendant is presumed innocent unless of course and until proven responsible in a courtroom of regulation.

Deputy Attorney Typical Monaco for the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Lawyer Hinds for the Northern District of California, Section of Justice Inspector Normal Horowitz and FBI Particular Agent in Charge Honest made the announcement.       

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohit Gourisaria, Molly K. Priedeman and Andrew Paulson are prosecuting the circumstance with the assistance of Kay Konopaske and Leeya Kekona. The prosecution is the consequence of an investigation by the Division of Justice Business office of the Inspector General and the FBI.