Former deputy charged after allegedly sexually assaulting an inmate in Saline County
SALINE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A former Saline County Sheriff's deputy has waived his right to a preliminary hearing after he is accused of a sex crime against an inmate.
The Saline County Prosecutor’s office has charged Braiden Christy with sexual conduct with a prisoner or offender by a probation/parole officer/employee of a jail, prison or correctional facility and stalking.
A hearing was held on Wednesday between Saline County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Dawn Boyer, Christy and his attorney Jeffrey Hilbrenner.
Christy is accused of touching an inmate’s breasts and watching her shower while he was working for the Saline County Sheriff’s Department on July 31, 2021.
The victim told investigators that she asked Christy for tobacco but he came back with a pop tart and then he pulled her bra down and touched her breasts.
Christy is then accused of watching the victim shower by opening and closing the shower door. Once an inmate is in the shower, the door is to remain closed until the inmate knocks on the door for a jailer to let them out, according to court documents.
The investigator asked to interview Christy on Sept. 14 and Christy agreed to the interview. The next day, Christy’s lawyer called and told the investigator there would be not interview, according to a probable cause statement.
The investigator then received multiple letters from a female inmate that Christy was allegedly giving to other female inmates. Christy had then transferred jobs to the Miller County Sheriff's Department where the investigator compared his application to the letters to see if the writing was similar.
Investigators also found phone calls by the victim where she described the incidents from July 29, 2021, to August 3, 2021. Investigators also spoke with the victim's lawyer and mother about the incident.
During the investigation in 2022, Christy's employment with the Miller County Sheriff's Department was terminated. Capt. Hannon, with Miller County Sheriff's Department, told investigators the reason Christy was fired was similar to the Saline County incident.
On May 2, 2022, a complaint was filed about the Saline County incident against Christy to the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
Christy is scheduled for arraignment on July 25 in Marshall.
