Detainees Allege Sexual Assault and Coercion by Guard
Immigrants held at a California detention centre have come forward with disturbing allegations of sexual assault and harassment by a guard, claiming their official complaints were disregarded while the accused officer was transferred and promoted. The official, identified in reports only as "Lt Quin," was working as an administrative manager at the Golden State Annex facility in McFarland under a contract with the private prison firm, the GEO Group.
A Pattern of Abuse and Ignored Complaints
According to a detailed report from The Los Angeles Times, the primary complainant, a 28-year-old male detainee, filed three separate complaints against Quin. These were submitted under the Federal Tort Claims Act, to a watchdog agency, and directly to the Department of Homeland Security. The accusations included sexual assault, harassment, and coercion.
The detainee alleges that beginning in May 2023, Quin would routinely summon him from his dorm to a private office late at night, where there were no security cameras. There, Quin would allegedly warn the man about a citation or complaint from another guard before proceeding to rub his genitals and make sexual comments.
The complainant stated that Quin used a combination of threats and promises to coerce him. This included threats to call a "code black" – which would summon other officers under the false pretence that their colleague was under attack – and promises to help with his immigration case. The detainee said he eventually succumbed to this pressure campaign, after which he was rewarded with contraband gifts like a mobile phone and a water bottle filled with alcohol.
Systemic Failure and Subsequent Promotion
An earlier complaint filed by the Asian Law Caucus on behalf of the same detainee suggests that other staff at the facility were aware of the misconduct, allegedly making suggestive remarks that hinted at their knowledge. The exchange involving the alcohol-filled bottle was reportedly witnessed by another guard, leading to Quin's brief suspension. However, the abuse did not stop there.
The Times report also contains allegations of abuse towards five other detainees, including a gay couple from Colombia and a transgender individual. Despite these serious and multiple accusations, the alleged victim was reportedly unaware of any investigation being initiated after he filed a third complaint with the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman.
In a shocking turn of events, Lt Quin was not disciplined but was instead promoted. He was transferred to a higher-ranking position as chief of security at the Alexandria Staging Facility in Louisiana. Meanwhile, the primary complainant was transferred to the Mesa Verde ICE processing centre in Bakersfield, California, in October 2024 before being deported the following month.
When contacted by The Los Angeles Times by phone, Quin initially refused to speak and then hung up when a reporter attempted to read the allegations to him.
In a statement, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that any allegations of misconduct are treated seriously. However, she stated that an investigation "could not substantiate any complaint of sexual assault or rape." She also noted that the complaints were filed before the current DHS leadership and their implemented reforms.
