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Sheriff's detectives have arrested a Sedgwick County detention deputy accused of sex crimes against inmates. Sheriff Bob Hinshaw says the arrest is embarrassing. He says it erodes public trust and tarnishes their badges.
21-year-old David E. Kendall was arrested on two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, two counts of unlawful sexual relations, two counts of mistreatment of a confined person, and one count of sexual battery.
Kendall has not been officially charged. Hinshaw says the investigation continues, but there was enough probable cause to arrest Kendall. He says the information will be turned over to the District Attorney, who will decide whether to file formal charges.
The Sheriff says they were made aware of the initial allegation last week. An inmate says Kendall handcuffed him and raped him inside his cell. Monday, June 18th another inmate came forward with a similar story. Hinshaw says until now, there have not been complaints made against the jail deputy.
Kendall started working in the jail in October 2008. When the initial claims came out last week, he was put on paid administrative leave. Hinshaw says now that he's been arrested, he'll no longer be paid and will go through an employment status hearing.
Kendall is being held in the medical clinic of the Sedgwick County jail. The sheriff says that's to keep him separated from the rest of the jail population. He says after Kendall's employment status hearing, he'll likely be moved to an out of county jail. Hinshaw says since Kendall has worked at the county for several years, he's aware of the security measures the jail has in place.
Hinshaw says the FBI is assisting with the case. An FBI agent is already working on the county investigation. The FBI is still deciding whether to take over the case all together.
Hinshaw says he's pleased the FBI is assisting. He says they can't do their job without the public's trust, so he wants the investigation to be as open as possible.
Mark Schoenhofer represents both of the inmates, who plan to sue the sheriff's office. He's waiting to see if the district attorney will charge Kendall.
"At this point, all I can say, on behalf of my clients and their families, that we're really happy that something is being done," Schoenhofer said.