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Miller County jailer arrested for sexual contact with inmate
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By Ra'Vae Edwards
News Tribune
TUSCUMBIA - A Miller County jailer was arrested Sunday and faces four counts of felony sexual contact with an inmate after a weekend investigation was conducted by officers from the Missouri Water Patrol and the sheriff's department.
James A. Gavette, 33, was arraigned on Monday and currently is being held in an undisclosed jail on a $20,000 bond.
According to Sheriff Bill Abbott, the investigation was sparked after he was informed by a female inmate that another inmate, Julianne M. Davidson, said she had been having sexual intercourse with Gavette for several months and that she believes she is pregnant and contends Gavette is the father.
Davidson had been incarcerated since late March for a probation violation in Pulaski County. It is unknown how long she has been in the Miller County Jail.
According to the probable cause statement, Davidson told investigators the sexual intercourse would take place “about once a week,” had been taking place “after 7:30 p.m. in the kitchen office” and had been ongoing from early May 2007 through August 2007.
Davidson and Gavette gave verbal and written statements to investigators that the sexual intercourse was consensual but under Missouri law, a jail or prison employee cannot have sexual contact with an inmate and the “consent of a prisoner or offender is not an affirmative defense” against the charge, which is a Class D felony.
Abbott said he called in the Water Patrol for assistance because he wanted all leads followed and all allegations investigated immediately.
Gavette had been working on the evening shifts at the Miller County Jail for about five months, and according to Abbott, he does not have a prior history of sexual misconduct.
At a press conference Tuesday, Abbott said although the jail is equipped with camera and surveillance equipment none of the alleged incident was caught on film but he was in the process of increasing the security in the jail.
Nick Humphrey, media services director for the Water Patrol, said the investigation is ongoing but could not comment further.
Gavette will appear in court in Miller County on Oct. 10 for a case review.
James A. Gavette, 33, was arraigned on Monday and currently is being held in an undisclosed jail on a $20,000 bond.
According to Sheriff Bill Abbott, the investigation was sparked after he was informed by a female inmate that another inmate, Julianne M. Davidson, said she had been having sexual intercourse with Gavette for several months and that she believes she is pregnant and contends Gavette is the father.
Davidson had been incarcerated since late March for a probation violation in Pulaski County. It is unknown how long she has been in the Miller County Jail.
According to the probable cause statement, Davidson told investigators the sexual intercourse would take place “about once a week,” had been taking place “after 7:30 p.m. in the kitchen office” and had been ongoing from early May 2007 through August 2007.
Davidson and Gavette gave verbal and written statements to investigators that the sexual intercourse was consensual but under Missouri law, a jail or prison employee cannot have sexual contact with an inmate and the “consent of a prisoner or offender is not an affirmative defense” against the charge, which is a Class D felony.
Abbott said he called in the Water Patrol for assistance because he wanted all leads followed and all allegations investigated immediately.
Gavette had been working on the evening shifts at the Miller County Jail for about five months, and according to Abbott, he does not have a prior history of sexual misconduct.
At a press conference Tuesday, Abbott said although the jail is equipped with camera and surveillance equipment none of the alleged incident was caught on film but he was in the process of increasing the security in the jail.
Nick Humphrey, media services director for the Water Patrol, said the investigation is ongoing but could not comment further.
Gavette will appear in court in Miller County on Oct. 10 for a case review.
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