Friday, 18 Apr, 2008 Offbeat

Western Oklahoma sheriff was accused of forcing and bribing female inmates using them as sex slaves in his jail.

State prosecutors filed 35 felony charges against Sheriff Mike Burgess, including 14 counts of second-degree rape, 7 counts of forcible oral sodomy, 5 counts of bribery, as well as sexual battery, rape by instrumentation and subornation of perjury,engaging in indecent exposure and kidnapping.

Burgess quit the position of Sheriff Wednesday just before his arrest and his appearance in court. He was released after posting $50,000 bail.

His attorney Steve Huddleston explained that he hasn't yet examined all the allegations against Burgess. Supposedly, the crimes occurred between October 2005 and April 2007.

The lawsuit was brought by 12 former inmates, who claimed that he arranged wet T-shirt contests where his inmates had to demonstrate their breasts to be rewarded with cigarettes.

Besides, Sheriff also faces charges of having sex with a female drug court participant who was in his custody. One of the drug court participants said that he threatened her with prison if didn't agree with his sexual demands.

One of the inmates claimed that she was promoted as a jail trusty after engaging in sexual act with Burgess, but was disgraced after she later refused.

Burgess faces 467 years sentence, a prosecutor James Boring said, but most probably the lesser sentence is expected.

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