Former youth prison guard accused of sex with inmate

ABILENE, Texas (AP) - A former guard in the Texas youth prison system has been indicted on charges of sexual assault and indecency with a child for allegedly having sex with a female inmate under the age of 17, officials said.

Jaime Segura, 30, of Brownwood, was suspended without pay Friday as the Texas Youth Commission began the process of firing him, said Jim Hurley, a commission spokesman. Segura had been on paid suspension since Feb. 24 from his job at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex in Brownwood.

Segura is the fifth former guard at the Brownwood facility to face felony charges since Texas officials launched investigations and sweeping reforms to the state-run youth prisons in response to a sex scandal and a possible coverup by agency officials.

A Brown County grand jury indicted Segura on felony charges including one count of sexual assault, three counts of indecency with a child and four counts of improper sexual activity with a person in custody. He was also indicted on four misdemeanor counts of official oppression.

Segura, who was hired in July 2005, posted bonds totaling $77,000 and was released from jail on Friday.

Jerry Strickland, a spokesman for the Texas Attorney General's Office, said investigations into the commission are continuing.

Sexual assault and indecency with a child are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Improper sexual activity with a person in custody is punishable by up to two years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Official oppression carries up to one year in jail and a fine of $4,000.

The commission announced in May that the Brownwood facility, located 120 miles southwest of Fort Worth, would become an all-female facility. Hurley said most of the male inmates have been moved out.