WKBT La Crosse, WI-NewsChannel 8-PdC Corrections Officer Charged with Sexual Assault of Inmates

PdC Corrections Officer Charged with Sexual Assault of Inmates

An officer from the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institute is charged with sexual assault of inmates at the facility.  58-year-old James Trentin is charged with 22 felony counts of sexual assault and six counts of delivering articles to inmates.

According to the criminal complaint, Trentin brought in contraband for the inmates including chewing tobacco, candy bars, cologne and other items in exchange for sexual favors.

Prosecutors say the incidents started in July of 2007.  Authorities were alerted to the incidents in mid-January and started an internal investigation.

They say Trentin also sent money orders to the inmates' prison accounts.  Investigators say a handwriting expert confirmed it was Trentin's handwriting on the money orders.

The Warden at the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution says allegations of sexual misconduct against an officer is not reflective of the entire correctional staff.  John Kaquin says, "When allegations of this magnitude do surface, we routinely do take a look, a throrough look and determine what steps we can take to prevent such things in the future.  And, we certainly are doing that."

Trentin has been put on leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.  He is scheduled to appear in court April 7. If convicted, Trentin faces up to 40 years in prison for each sexual assault charge.