Former Federal Prison Official Sentenced for Sex Offenses

BECKLEY, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Jarrod Grimes, 40, of Inverness, Florida, a former Federal Bureau of Prisons official, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for unlawfully engaging in sexual activity with female inmates at the Federal Prison Camp at Alderson.  Grimes will also be required to register as a sex offender.  The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“The Bureau of Prisons is staffed with correctional officers that perform their duties with honor and integrity every day.  However, Grimes, who abused his position and power, was not one of them,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.   “Grimes was in a position of trust and near absolute authority over inmates who had absolutely no ability to flee or escape. Any and all instances of gross and egregious corruption like this will be prosecuted by my office and we will seek the maximum penalties permitted by law.”

Grimes pled guilty in June to four counts of sexual abuse of a ward and two counts of abusive sexual contact involving a ward.  He admitted to having sexual intercourse with four inmates and other sexual activity with two other inmates between about November 2016 and December 2017.  Grimes was a captain when the crimes occurred, and was in charge of the correctional and security functions at the prison.  Under federal law, the inmates were not legally capable of giving consent to engage in any sexual activity with Grimes.  Grimes resigned from the Federal Bureau of Prisons in December 2017. 

“This man used his position as a Captain with the Bureau of Prisons to take advantage of women,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones.  “Corrections officers have a duty to protect the inmates at the prisons where they work. This sentence reaffirms our commitment to hold anyone who abuses their power responsible and that corruption, no matter where it is, will not be tolerated.”

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence on January 9, 2019.  Assistant United States Attorney John File handled the prosecution. 

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