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Pennsylvania Jail Official Indicted for Groping Co-workers
Ronald Edward Lensbouer, 44, the Chief Corrections Officer at a jail in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, faces charges of indecently assaulting two female guards at the facility.
According to court records, Lensbouer was charged on June 5, 2013 in two separate cases with four misdemeanor counts each of indecent assault and harassment, and two summary charges of harassment – all misdemeanors.
An affidavit of probable cause filed in both cases stated the guards had to fight and struggle to free themselves from being groped by Lensbouer, their supervisor. Lensbouer had made lewd comments to both women from late 2010 through 2012. In separate incidents in December 2012, he allegedly placed his hands down each woman’s pants while they worked in control rooms at the jail.
The same affidavit indicated that Lensbouer had confessed to the offenses during a May 7, 2013 interview with police. Borough Police Chief Randy Cox stated they were unable to take action on three other reports of similar misconduct by Lensbouer because the statute of limitations had expired.
County Commissioner Joe Betta said Lensbouer was suspended without pay. Betta expressed frustration that he had to push for months for an investigation, and that he didn’t hear about the matter from jail administrators. “This should have been brought to our attention last year,” he said.
Betta expressed gratitude to other jail guards who stood up for the women victimized by Lensbouer. “Unfortunately, there are a few [guards] who have the backbone of an amoeba,” he said. “It’s sad we had to work so long and hard to get something done.”
Sources: www.correctionsone.com, www.dailyamerican.com, http://triblive.com
According to court records, Lensbouer was charged on June 5, 2013 in two separate cases with four misdemeanor counts each of indecent assault and harassment, and two summary charges of harassment – all misdemeanors.
An affidavit of probable cause filed in both cases stated the guards had to fight and struggle to free themselves from being groped by Lensbouer, their supervisor. Lensbouer had made lewd comments to both women from late 2010 through 2012. In separate incidents in December 2012, he allegedly placed his hands down each woman’s pants while they worked in control rooms at the jail.
The same affidavit indicated that Lensbouer had confessed to the offenses during a May 7, 2013 interview with police. Borough Police Chief Randy Cox stated they were unable to take action on three other reports of similar misconduct by Lensbouer because the statute of limitations had expired.
County Commissioner Joe Betta said Lensbouer was suspended without pay. Betta expressed frustration that he had to push for months for an investigation, and that he didn’t hear about the matter from jail administrators. “This should have been brought to our attention last year,” he said.
Betta expressed gratitude to other jail guards who stood up for the women victimized by Lensbouer. “Unfortunately, there are a few [guards] who have the backbone of an amoeba,” he said. “It’s sad we had to work so long and hard to get something done.”
Sources: www.correctionsone.com, www.dailyamerican.com, http://triblive.com
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