On July 13th, a Douglas County Correctional Officer was arrested according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s office. Correctional Officer Leigh Lewis was arrested for “violation of oath by a public officer and sexual assault by correctional employee.” Lewis worked for the sheriff’s office for a little over a year. She served as a dispatcher and later moved into a position in the jail division.

Investigation of allegations

Investigators were instructed by Sheriff Tim Pounds to initiate a criminal investigation based upon a letter received by office officials from an unnamed Douglas County Jail inmate. The letter alleged that the officer was “sexually involved with another inmate at the jail.” A review of video footage of the inmate’s housing unit supported the information alleged in the letter.

Lewis later “admitted that she had in fact kissed and performed oral sodomy on an inmate in custody.” After the Lewis was arrested for sexual assault, she appeared in Magistrate Court. Lewis was released on a $30,000 bond this morning.

Sheriff Tim Pounds issues statement regarding Correctional Officer Lewis’ arrest.

Sherriff Tim Pounds also issued the following statement regarding the arrest, “When my officers do right, are within the law and my policy, I will stand by their side and fight with them all the way. I will not cave to political pressure or a court of public opinion. However, if one of them knowingly and willfully violates the law, and the public’s trust, this is what is going to happen to them. I have many great officers and I’m not going to allow one bad apple to spoil the bunch.”