A sergeant from the Alabama Department of Corrections is sitting behind bars after allegedly taking advantage of a woman inmate by abusing his power to coerce her into despicable acts.
Sgt. Laquentin Brantley, 34, was working at the Julia Tutwiler Prison Women’s Facility in Wetumpka on Oct. 18 when he was alleged to have committed a heinous act. Police officials were told by a woman inmate that Brantley walked up to her holding cell that morning while she was wearing a tank top with no bra. He allegedly ordered her to lift her shirt saying, “Let me see ‘em or you’ll never go home.”
Under intimidation, the inmate told investigators she complied and alleged Brantley fondled her breasts and private area, per AL.com. That was just that morning.
Police said in charging documents Brantley returned again to the inmate during the afternoon and forced her to perform oral sex on him. The inmate told investigators the sergeant continuously threatened to “write her up” any time he wanted if she didn’t comply with his commands. State law says a prisoner cannot consent to sexual acts with an officer.
Years ago, the Equal Justice Initiative filed a complaint to the Department of Justice calling for an investigation of the Tutwiler jail after finding that most women inmates experienced sexual violence from male prison guards, with some even becoming pregnant after being raped.
The report says the ADOC Law Enforcement Services Division, along with the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force, arrested Brantley from his home last week. The sergeant was charged with custodial sexual misconduct and first-degree sodomy against an inmate.
Now, just feet away from the women’s jail, Brantley is being held in the Elmore County Jail without bond. He’s expected to appear for an Aniah’s Law hearing, which allows a judge to deny bond to those charged with violent crimes.