An indictment was unsealed on Thursday, May 9, charging a former correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Tallahassee with sexual acts with an inmate in federal custody.
The indictment alleges that, between June 2023, and August 2023, Kerontrez Lamar Kenon, 22, of Midway, Florida, engaged in sexual acts with an inmate while employed as a correctional officer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP).
“As alleged in the indictment, defendant Kenon exploited his authority as a correctional officer to sexually abuse an adult in custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As this charge reflects, the Justice Department will hold accountable officials who abuse their authority over those they are sworn to protect. ”
U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida also made the following remarks contained in a press statement:
“The sexual abuse of inmates by federal correctional officers is intolerable. This office will vigorously investigate and prosecute any officer who engages in such acts of abuse to the fullest extent of the law.”
If convicted, Kenon faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
The Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General and FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Steer and James McCain for the Northern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
FBOP is committed to rooting out misconduct within its ranks and working with law enforcement partners to prosecute violations of federal law. The numerous FBOP employees working diligently to ensure justice for the victims of misconduct are critical to the Department’s reform efforts.
