A former Wisconsin correctional officer has been handed a prison sentence for sexually assaulting a female inmate in a startling breach of security that occurred within the jail's own lobby.
Dakota J. Witherspoon, 27, was sentenced to three years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision for second-degree sexual assault by correctional staff. The incident took place at the Outagamie County Jail in August 2022.
A Brazen Assault in a 'Secure' Area
The court heard how Witherspoon, then a correctional officer, escorted the female inmate from her cell to the jail's booking area under the pretence of allowing her to use a phone. Instead of supervising the call, Witherspoon isolated the woman and assaulted her within the lobby area—a space theoretically under surveillance and meant to be secure.
Judge Mark McGinnis, during sentencing, emphasised the profound breach of trust. "You were in a position of authority, a position of power, a position of trust," the judge stated. "She was in a position of vulnerability."
Victim's Impact and Systemic Failure
The victim, whose identity is protected, described the lasting trauma in a statement read in court. The assault has left her with severe anxiety and a deep-seated fear of law enforcement, impacting her ability to reintegrate into society.
This case raises serious questions about oversight within the correctional facility. The fact that an officer was able to move an inmate to a semi-public area and commit such an act undetected points to significant procedural failures.
Consequences and Ongoing Scrutiny
Witherspoon, who pleaded no contest to the charge, will also be required to register as a sex offender. The sentencing sends a strong message about the accountability of those entrusted with the care of inmates.
The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office has not commented on whether internal procedures have been revised since the incident to prevent similar abuses of power from occurring in the future.
