TERRE HAUTE —
Officials expect the sentencing of a federal prison employee to serve as notice that facility security is taken seriously.
Lynsey B. Stangle, 27, Hutsonville, Ill., on Wednesday morning pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a ward while employed as a correctional officer at the Federal Bureau of Prisons facility at Terre Haute.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Hogsett said Stangle was sentenced to three years’ probation, given a $1,500 fine and ordered to register as a sex offender. The plea effectively ends her careers with the federal government, both as a corrections officer and a member of the Air National Guard, Hogsett said.
According to information provided by Hogsett at a media conference inside the federal courthouse in Terre Haute, Stangle was accused of initiating sexual relations with an inmate on Nov. 8, 2011. The incident was reportedly the result of a “flirtatious relationship” between the two while the inmate served in the Terre Haute Federal Prison Camp. Stangle and the inmate reportedly communicated regularly via cell phone and Facebook, and she provided him with gifts, according to the release.
The sexual activity was reportedly conducted in a Bureau of Prison patrol car while Stangle was on duty and loaded firearms were inside.
The inmate provided a statement acknowledging the sexual encounter and previous contacts. After waiving her rights, Stangle admitted to engaging in intercourse with the inmate in the patrol car, according to information released by Hogsett.
“The fact is, there were weapons available to the inmate,” Hogsett said Wednesday afternoon, emphasizing the danger this presented all other inmates and employees, in addition to Stangle.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Warden said the magnitude of the situation should not be overlooked just because the sex was consensual. Describing the incident as “selfish” and “breathtaking,” he said allowing an inmate access to loaded firearms demands action.
Hogsett said that because the inmate is technically a “ward” of the prison, and Stangle was an officer, the crime involved is defined as “sexual abuse of a ward,” which is a sex crime and necessitates her listing on the registry of sex offenders.
As a convicted felon, Stangle will be barred from carrying firearms, meaning her career with the Air National Guard is effectively over as well, Hogsett said.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
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