A corrections officer at Mahoning County Jail faces serious allegations of sexual abuse involving a female inmate. Damon K. Perry, 52, of Youngstown, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for committing non-consensual sexual acts against the detainee. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the charges are connected to events occurring on two distinct occasions last fall.
Perry's case has come under scrutiny after the grand jury indictment was filed on December 5, 2023, outlining the grave accusations against him. Specifically, the officer is said to have abused the inmate during his supervisory role. The first incident occurred on November 9, 2023, and the second on November 30, 2023, both times when the inmate was under Perry’s control.
“A prison sentence should never include sexual abuse, and certainly not sexual abuse committed by someone to whom we have entrusted a prisoner’s care and custody,” remarked U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko. She emphasized the significant power correction officers hold over inmates and the imperative of using this authority responsibly to protect and uphold the rights of those detained.
Perry was arrested on December 13, 2023, shortly after the indictment was issued. He is facing multiple charges: two counts of sexual abuse and two counts of sexual abuse of a detainee, as documented in federal court records. During his initial court appearance, Perry pleaded not guilty to all charges. Currently, he has been released on bail set at $20,000.
The incident is particularly alarming considering the increasing focus on the treatment of detainees and prisoners across the United States. This case highlights the potential for abuse of power within correctional facilities—a concern voiced by various advocacy groups and legal experts.
According to the indictment, Perry allegedly engaged directly with the victim who was “in official detention and under the custodial, supervisory and disciplinary authority” of the officer without her consent. This paints a disturbing picture of the dynamics at play within secure facilities and the potential for exploitation by those meant to uphold safety and order.
The Mahoning County Jail, located in Youngstown, Ohio, operates under contracts with federal law enforcement agencies to house detainees. This setup raises additional questions about oversight and protections put in place to shield vulnerable individuals from harm during their incarceration.
Following his arraignment, Perry’s trial date has been set for February 18, 2025. Prior to this, he will participate in a pretrial conference scheduled for February 5, 2025. The prosecution of his case is being overseen by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Joyce and Yasmine Makridis, who are working with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General on this serious matter.
These troubling allegations may catalyze discussions about the policies and practices surrounding inmate treatment and safety, especially considering the broader societal issues related to sexual abuse within institutional settings. Advocates for prisoner rights are closely monitoring the situation, pushing for systemic reforms to increase the accountability of correction officers.
The Mahoning County community has expressed shock at the news of these allegations. Public trust is often tied to the integrity of law enforcement and corrections personnel, making these charges particularly damaging. Community members often rely on these officers to uphold the law fairly; violations of this trust can have long-lasting effects on how the community perceives its law enforcement.
Moving forward, as details emerge from Perry's trial and pretrial proceedings, it will be pivotal for the public and officials alike to seek transparency and justice for the victims of any misconduct. The outcomes of such cases may prompt necessary reforms within institutions to prevent future abuses of power and to restore faith in the system responsible for maintaining the safety and rights of all individuals within its confines.
