SPOKANE, Wash – A federal grand jury has indicted a corrections officer for allegedly sexually assaulting a prisoner he was transporting.
Darren Bowannie was a lead corrections officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
In February, federal prosecutors say he was transporting a woman from Wellpinit to Nespelem.
Prosecutors say during that transport, he used his power as a law enforcement officer to threaten and sexually assaulted her.
Bowannie is charged with the federal crime of deprivation of rights under color of law. The charge carries a maximum penalty of up to life in prison.
The crime is alleged to have happened on February 9th. He was indicted on August 21st and made his first court appearance this week.
“Our society places significant trust in law enforcement,” U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref said in a news release announcing the indictment. “Every day we rely on law enforcement officers who put themselves at risk to keep our communities safe and uphold their oath to protect and serve. When law enforcement fails to uphold this trust, my office will carefully investigate allegations of wrongdoing and seek justice to reestablish trust, protect victims, and to keep our communities safe and strong.”
A judge ordered him held without bond at least until his detention hearing, which is scheduled for Thursday.
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