Crime & Safety
Former County Correctional Officer Charged in Sexual Contact with Inmate
The former corrections officer was fired for unrelated administrative issues, said police.
Howard County police say a 40-year-old Owings Mills man who previously worked as a county correctional officer had sexual contact with a female inmate in a cell at the Howard County Detention Center.
Gregory Charles Kirk was charged with sexual conduct between a correctional employee and inmate, a misdemeanor.
Jack Kavanagh, the director of the detention center, contacted police on Nov. 15 and told them about the allegations against Kirk, who was fired from the prison for unrelated administrative issues, said police.
“When Mr. Kavanagh became aware of the allegation, he contacted our detectives at the police department to investigate this as a criminal matter,” said Police Chief William McMahon, in a statement. “He made it clear that this kind of behavior by a correctional officer is not tolerated in Howard County.”
Police investigated the allegations by conducting interviews at the jail, then arrested Kirk. Kirk faces up to three years in jail and a fine up to $3,000 if convicted.
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