Correctional officer’s firing upheld after ‘improper relationship’

Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 | 3:59 p.m.

CARSON CITY – A state hearing officer has upheld the firing of a female correctional officer accused of smuggling in contraband and having a romantic fling with a prisoner at the Lovelock Correctional Center.

Hearing Officer Bill Kockenmeister said the “substantial, reliable and probative evidence” shows that officer Amelia Jimenez had an “improper relationship” with inmate Jesse Le Blanc and brought him weight lifting gloves and a CD holder.

Le Blanc, who was given and passed a lie detector test, said the two had a “romantic relation” in which they hugged and kissed and shared food. Jimenez, who joined the prison in 2001 and was fired in March 2009, denied the allegations and claimed she was being “set up” by another officer whom she had accused of sexual harassment.

Kockenmeister said her testimony at the personnel hearing was not credible.

In another decision, the hearing officer upheld the five-day suspension of Officer Charles Horn, a retail storekeeper at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City.

Horn, a prison employee since 1993, was accused of leaving the main door of the prison canteen open while he went to the restroom. There was access to not only to the canteen but to a telephone and portable radio.

Horn said a medical issue meant it was urgent for him to go to the restroom.

Kockenmeister said the action of Horn was a security breach and the five-day suspension was appropriate.

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

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By LORDGLENMORE

Nov. 14, 2009

1:19 a.m.

Suggest removal

It seems no one is immune to the lure of the bad boy.
By theone1

Nov. 14, 2009

6:47 a.m.

Suggest removal

Looks like the Corrections Department has problems. Maybe things will get better now that they are not required to take a furlough day each month. Such hard working and dedicated employees, the whole lot.
By Anonymousmang

Nov. 14, 2009

3:57 p.m.

Suggest removal

Granted "theone1" they do work hard ect. However, instances like this, Yes at this facility, are why I chose to seek employment elsewhere even during this economy.

That said, the woman above had an immunity so to speak with an higher ranking "non shift" officer. Though this does suprise me, suprise meaning they actually followed through on one of her hearings.

Also, LORDGLENMORE that particular person whom was caught with her, shouldn't have had access to her post either as he had been tagged a few times in regard to "bad behavior", but then again I guess her having pull could have and probably did change that aspect.