A former Lowndes County Adult Detention Center officer has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly having sex with an inmate on Valentine’s Day, according to Sheriff Eddie Hawkins.
Margaret Hughes, 42, had been working at the jail for around a year and turned in her two weeks notice in August, Hawkins said. She intended to go to work for the Columbus Police Department.
After she announced her intention to quit, the inmate she had had sex with came forward and reported the affair, Hawkins said.
“They got in a tiff, and he told on her,” Hawkins said.
Once the allegation was made, the investigation was turned over to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, Hawkins said. Hughes allegedly admitted what she had done and was immediately terminated.
CPD was told about the investigation and did not hire Hughes, Hawkins said.
The indictment was handed down Monday, and Hughes turned herself in the next day. She was released after posting $5,000 bond, Hawkins said.
“It is imperative that individuals who work as detention officers be held to a higher standard,” Hawkins said. “This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. She betrayed our trust, and we are holding her accountable.”
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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