Jacob Salcido, 40, of Lexington pleaded guilty on Friday, September 13 , before Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to three counts of sexual abuse of a ward.
According to his plea agreement, from September 5, 2020, to December 21, 2020, while employed as a Correctional Officer at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Salcido knowingly engaged in sexual acts with three inmates. Salcido admitted that, based on his training and experience, he was aware that any sexual contact between FMC staff and inmates was strictly forbidden and constituted a criminal offense.
“Jacob Salcido blatantly exploited his power as a correctional officer by sexually abusing three women in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “The Justice Department’s commitment to eradicating sexual abuse within the ranks of the Federal Bureau of Prisons continues through every case we prosecute. Today’s guilty plea is the latest but certainly not the last in our efforts to eradicate sexual abuse in federal prisons.”
Instead of ensuring the safety and security of those in his care, the defendant chose to maliciously prey on vulnerable individuals, and betrayed an important obligation to the public,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This disgraceful conduct has done enduring damage to his victims. It has also eroded trust in faithful public servants, those who perform their civic duties honorably. We are committed to our efforts to protect individuals, and to combat abuses by those who callously betray their responsibilities to those in their care and to the public they serve.”
Salcido is scheduled to be sentenced on December 13, 2024. This offense carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the guilty plea, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and the federal sentencing statutes.
