By Toya Graham
The Herald
YORK, S.C. — A York County detention officer has been fired after an investigation into an inmate’s allegation of sexual misconduct, according to the York County Sheriff’s Office.
Robert Cordell Martin, 59, of Smyrna was charged Tuesday with second-degree sexual misconduct with an inmate after an Oct. 19 incident.
Martin had been employed as a detention officer since 2004, the release notes. He was fired Tuesday by York County Sheriff Bruce Bryant, according to the release.
When The Herald tried to reach Martin on Wednesday, a family member deferred comments to Columbia attorney Jack Swerling.
“He is extremely upset about the allegations,” Swerling said of Martin. “I have spoken to Mr. Martin briefly about it, but he tells me in no uncertain terms that this did not happen. He intends to defend himself in court.”
Martin will meet with Swerling in the next few days, Swerling said.
A York County Sheriff’s Office report states a 41-year-old Charlotte woman was toucshed inappropriately between 6 p.m. and midnight Oct. 19 while incarcerated at Moss Justice Center.
The Herald does not identify sexual assault victims. The woman remained in custody Wednesday, according to the sheriff’s office Web site.
An arrest warrant states Martin had “sexual contact” with the inmate.
Several days after the alleged sexual misconduct, the inmate notified sheriff’s office personnel, the release states. Martin was suspended from duty, according to the release.
Because of the nature of the inmate’s complaint, Bryant asked the State Law Enforcement Division to investigate. The sheriff’s office and SLED did not provide any details about the woman’s complaint. SLED does not release information about ongoing investigations.
On Tuesday, SLED issued and served an arrest warrant against Martin. Martin was booked Tuesday afternoon and released a short time later on a $5,000 bond, authorities said.
Copyright 2008 The Herald