An indictment was unsealed today, charging Kerontrez Lamar Kenon, a former correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Tallahassee, with sexual acts involving an inmate in federal custody. The indictment alleges that between June and August 2023, Kenon, 22, of Midway, Florida, engaged in sexual acts with an inmate while employed as a correctional officer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP).
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco commented on the case: “As alleged in the indictment, defendant Kenon exploited his authority as a correctional officer to sexually abuse an adult in custody. As this charge reflects, the Justice Department will hold accountable officials who abuse their authority over those they are sworn to protect.”
U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida echoed these sentiments: “The sexual abuse of inmates by federal correctional officers is intolerable. This office will vigorously investigate and prosecute any officer who engages in such acts of abuse to the fullest extent of the law.”
Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz of the Justice Department added that “Today's indictment demonstrates the Justice Department Office of the Inspector General's ongoing commitment to aggressively investigate allegations of sexual abuse of inmates by Correctional Officers.”
If convicted, Kenon could face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The investigation into this case was conducted by the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General and FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Steer and James McCain for the Northern District of Florida are prosecuting.
The FBOP expressed its commitment to rooting out misconduct within its ranks and working with law enforcement partners to prosecute violations of federal law. It emphasized that its employees are working diligently to ensure justice for victims of misconduct as part of their reform efforts.