VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Volusia County corrections officer was arrested this week following an investigation into “suspicious activity,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Volusia County Corrections Lt. Jonathan Harding faces charges of sexual misconduct employee/inmate, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and three counts of introduction of contraband to a county detention facility, two of them felonies and one a misdemeanor, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said.
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According to a news release, Harding roused other corrections officers’ suspicions earlier this month and was reported to Internal Affairs.
An investigation began immediately, the release states, and once sufficient evidence was recovered, Harding was reassigned to duties outside of the Corrections Division.
According to an affidavit, Harding was questioned and admitted to bringing contraband to an inmate, including medicine and food. The corrections officer also admitted to allowing the inmate to use his personal cell phone so that they could communicate during his shift and to having sex with her at least once, records show.
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Harding was secured without incident around 1 p.m. Wednesday, booked into the Volusia County Jail and detained in Administrative segregation, according to the sheriff’s office. His pretrial detainment would take place at a correctional facility outside of Volusia County should he be returned to custody, the release states.
The sheriff’s office noted Harding began working for Volusia County Corrections in 2011 and had no prior disciplinary actions prior to this week’s arrest.
Harding is on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the trial, the sheriff’s office said. His first appearance in court was scheduled for Thursday morning.
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