Ex-Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty To Having Sex with Inmate

LOS ANGELES – A former correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Complex in Lompoc has pleaded guilty to a charge of having unlawful sexual relations with a male inmate.

Renee Noelle Gutierrez, 42, of Redondo Beach, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon in United States District Court to a felony charge of sexual abuse of a ward.

At the time of the offense in April 2010, Gutierrez was a prison dorm supervisor responsible for more than 500 inmates. After the illegal sexual conduct was uncovered, but prior to being indicted by a federal grand jury last August, Gutierrez resigned her position.

Gutierrez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 26 by United States District Judge John F. Walter. As a result of the guilty plea, Gutierrez faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.

This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General.