TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A former federal corrections officer is going to prison for three months for engaging in sex acts with an inmate.
Authorities say between October 2021, and August 2022, Lenton Jerome Hatten, 54, engaged in sexual acts with an inmate while employed as a sports specialist for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee. Hatten was linked to those incidents through DNA, according to court documents.
“The abuse of any inmate by correctional officers is intolerable,” U.S. Attorney Coody said in a statement. “Sentences of confinement are imposed to account for the inmate’s criminal conduct and afford educational and vocational skills to aid in rehabilitation.
“The inmate’s dignity and safety are not surrendered at the prison door. This office will vigorously investigate and prosecute any officer who violates their oath through abuse of inmates entrusted to their care and custody.”
Hatten was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release. His mugshot was unavailable.