A former Nebraska prison guard has been found guilty of sexually assaulting an inmate jailed for murder and letting her baby escape prison time.
Samantha Cedillo, 31 at the time of the March charges, will be charged in 2023 with first-degree sexual assault of an inmate, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Cedillo pleaded no contest and was sentenced to probation on an amended charge of Class 2A Felony Attempt.
However, Cedillo was spared a prison sentence as District Court Judge Leanne Srub sentenced her to three years’ probation. Ms. Cedillo was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms, and was ordered to maintain employment, abstain from drugs and alcohol, attend a women’s trauma group, and participate in a parenting program. Cedillo must also register as a sex offender.
If Cedillo completes his probation, he will be eligible to have his conviction dismissed.
“This is an alarming incident,” Srb told Cedillo. “What happened here shouldn’t have happened.”
Her lawyer, James McGough, said: “One of the problems caused by the trauma she experienced in her past is that it changes who she is and has a ripple effect. The struggle to create clear lines and boundaries. ” he said.
Cedillo has worked at Omaha Correctional Center since June 2021 as a non-clinical program manager.
Prison officials have been told that Cedillo is suspected of having had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 47-year-old man serving a life sentence for murder.
The convicted murderer worked as a librarian at the prison, but was released after being charged. However, the two reportedly continued to have a close relationship, including within Mr. Cedillo’s office.
of omaha world herald According to the report, “In March 2022, surveillance cameras observed Cedillo unbuckling his radio while an inmate was in his office, and the two moved behind the door and out of view of the camera. When another officer entered the library, Cedillo was reportedly seen scurrying back to his chair with his shirt off and his hair messy.”
When asked to write a report on the alleged incident, Mr. Cedillo responded with resignation.
Law enforcement investigators later discovered an infant registry created by Cedillo. Her expected due date was mid-December, nine months after the March incident.
Cedillo and the inmate allegedly continued to communicate via text messages via an illegal cell phone belonging to the killer.
Authorities said the baby’s DNA matched the inmate’s DNA.
Under Nebraska law, it is a felony for an employee or contractor of a state prison, city or county jail to engage in sexual contact with an inmate or parolee, regardless of whether the person consented or not.
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