1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Fawn E. Thomas, Public Affairs Specialist

 

August 29, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bruceton Mills Resident Enters Plea of Guilty
to Sexual Abuse of a Ward

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 39 year old Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, resident entered a plea of guilty on August 27, 2010, in United States District Court in Clarksburg before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that LORI SUE HELMICK entered a plea of guilty to one count of sexual abuse of a ward on November 26, 2009. HELMICK, while employed as a nurse at the United States Penitentiary at Hazelton, had sexual intercourse with an inmate who was in official detention and under the custodial authority of HELMICK as her patient. HELMICK, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum exposure of 15 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherry L. Muncy and was investigated by the Department of Justice-Office of Inspector General.