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DJJ officer charged with sexual misconduct with an inmate
Posted: 10.07.2011 at 2:42 PM
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COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division says a DJJ correctional officer was arrested Friday morning.

Twenty-eight-year-old Gary Whisonant of Richland County is charged with sexual misconduct with an inmate while he was employed with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The arrests come following a SLED investigation.

Arrest warrants say the crimes occurred on the male campus. They accuse Whisonant of having sex with an inmate multiple times between Aug. 1 and Sept. 23, and of improperly touching another Sept. 23 on an activity bus.

Officials say the inmates involved are 16 and 19 years old.

The warrants say Whisonant confessed.

DJJ says Whisonant was fired Thursday. He'd worked there since 2008.

Whisonant was booked at the Richland County Detention Center.  The case will be prosecuted by the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office in Richland County.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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