April 28th, 2017 by WCBC Radio
In early February 2017 staff at the Allegany County Detention Center were approached by a female inmate about inappropriate conduct by a male correctional officer at the facility. Detention Center administrators immediately reported the concerns to the Allegany County Sheriff's Office and an investigation into the allegations was initiated. A request for assistance was made to the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) for follow up investigation.
When the victim was interviewed she revealed that she had engaged in inappropriate sexual acts with the officer while she was incarcerated at the Detention Center. Further investigation into the claims substantiated those allegations.
As a result, Investigators, in consultation with the Allegany County State's Attorney's Office, obtained criminal charges for the officer, 47 year old Jody Harold Emerick. Emerick was charged with 2nd Degree Rape, 2nd Degree Sex Offense, and Correctional Inmate Sex Offense. Emerick was charged via criminal summons and is free pending trial.
The investigation into Emerick's actions revealed the possibility of other victims and additional criminal charges are anticipated.
The investigation is continuing by C3I.
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