MARIETTA — A former nurse and corrections officer was sentenced to three and a half years in prison Thursday for having a sexual relationship with two inmates at the Washington County Jail.

Michelle Kiefer-Erb, 42, Vincent, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual battery in November.

While working at the jail from May 2016 to Aug. 18, 2018, Kiefer-Erb had sexual contact with two inmates on multiple occasions from July through August of 2018. Part of her plea agreement included giving Washington County prosecutors a debriefing on all contact she had with the inmates during her employment with the sheriff’s office, with no additional legal jeopardy to her.

Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Joe Derkin said during Thursday’s sentencing that the debriefing could have been more fruitful.

“It was like pulling teeth,” he said. “There is no remorse from the defendant.”

Derkin told the court that during the debriefing Kiefer-Erb admitted to another eight felonies to include multiple sexual encounters with the inmates as well as bringing Xanax into the jail to give to them.

Capt. Greg Nohe, Washington County Jail administrator, told the court that Kiefer-Erb had violated more than just the law with her actions.

“I’ve never had trust broken like in this case,” he said. “I honestly believe she was going to facilitate the escape of the inmate.”

Before her sentence was given, Kiefer-Erb asked the court for leniency through her tears.

“I betrayed my husband, abandoned my children and destroyed my career,” she said. “I’m truly sorry for the embarrassment I caused the sheriff’s department.”

During her statement, Kiefer-Erb revealed the identity of one of the inmates.

“(The victim) led me to believe we would be together,” she said. “I risked everything for him.”

In December, the 27-year-old man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his part in an armed home invasion in New Matamoras last February.

The other inmate was not identified in court.

Derkin informed the court that no victim impact statement was given to the court by Lohr, but that he did attempt suicide by hanging after hearing about Kiefer-Erb’s indictment.

Kiefer-Erb’s continued to cry in the courtroom as Washington County Common Pleas Judge Mark Kerenyi sentenced her to 42 months in prison and five years community control following her incarceration. Kiefer-Erb must also register as a Tier III sexual offender upon her release.

Before the sentencing, Nohe explained why prosecuting cases like these were important to the overall safety of the community.

“She had access to everything,” he said. “Including how to get out.”

Nohe said Kiefer-Erb isn’t alone in her guilt considering other cases across the country.

“This is not uncommon,” he said. “Most contraband in state prisons is brought in by staff members.”