By Jessica Kwong
San Antonio Express-News
BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — A Bexar County Jail detention officer has been charged with violating the civil rights of a person in custody, accused of sexual contact with a female inmate.
In jail since May awaiting trial for burglary of a habitation and family assault charges, Laura Elizalde, 25, said Marco Cedillo, 38, sexually assaulted her at least six times between late July and early August, her attorney Kenneth Bell said.
Elizalde was afraid of retribution until another inmate helped her make an outcry, Bell said.
Cedillo, a jail employee for more than six years, resigned on Aug. 1 after the allegations came up, said Deputy Chief Dale Bennett of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. A criminal case was filed with the district attorney’s office on Aug. 12.The charge wasn’t severe enough, Bell said.
“I think he should have been charged with sexual assault because that’s what he did,” Bell said.
Cedillo turned himself in Sept. 8, was booked on a warrant, pleaded no contest and was released on bond to await sentencing set for Oct. 24, said First Assistant Bexar County District Attorney Cliff Herberg.
The charge, a state jail felony, carries a maximum 18 month jail term, but he is also eligible for probation because he has no prior record, Herberg added.
“He is permanently surrendering his peace officer’s license, so he can’t be a police officer or in any position of public trust ever again in Texas,” Herberg said.
Elizalde has been released from jail into a life building program.
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