By W. T. Eckert Hudson
The Daily Mail
CATSKILL — Alleged sexual misconduct led to the arrest of two Greene County Jail correction officers Tuesday.
Greene County District Attorney Terry Wilhelm announced the arrest of COs Donald Schermerhorn and Earnest Dunn after an extensive investigation into allegations of sexual conduct with inmates while on duty.
The two-month investigation began after word reached Greene County Jail Superintendent Michael Spitz that Schermerhorn, 43, of Cairo had been inappropriately touching female inmates, Greene County Sheriff Greg Seeley said.
“As soon as we heard about it, Jail Superintendent Michael Spitz came in and spoke to me and the undersheriff,” Seeley said. “We immediately assigned our investigators to look into these allegations.”
The investigation included traveling to several state facilities to interview other women about their alleged involvement in the sexual misconduct.
It was during that investigation that Seeley said credible evidence was uncovered proving the alleged inappropriate sexual behavior did occur.
“At that point in time we went up and spoke with the district attorney about it,” Seeley said. “Terry and I talked about it and we came to the conclusion that we had to be careful with conflict of interest and public perception as we were investigating one of our own.”
The sheriff said that although he has extreme confidence in his investigators, he and Wilhelm decided to reach out to the New York State Police to assist in the investigation due to the nature of the situation.
Subsequently, through the investigation with the state police, Seeley said it was also uncovered that Dunn, 26, of Catskill was also involved in the alleged salacious activity.
According to Wilhelm, there was no forcible compulsion involved in any of the crimes; however, according to law, female inmates cannot give valid consent to sexual contact with corrections officers.
Both men were arraigned before Catskill Town Judge William Wootton.
Schermerhorn was charged with three counts of second degree sexual abuse, a class A misdemeanor and three counts of official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor. Schermerhorn was remanded to Greene County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail and $2,500 bond.
Dunn was charged with third degree sexual conduct, a class E felony, second degree sexual abuse, a class A misdemeanor, official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor and second degree coercion, a class A misdemeanor. Dunn was remanded to Greene County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.
At the conclusion of the arraignments, Wootton transferred the files for these cases to the Catskill Village Court for further proceedings.
“I feel bad for the families involved, especially during the holiday season,” Seeley said. “On the other hand, I am furious about this. I make it very clear that no person that works for the Greene County Sheriff’s Office will act in that inappropriate manner.”
In support of his statement, Seeley said Schermerhorn was immediately terminated, while Dunn has been suspended in lieu of termination.
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