A Jackson County jail inmate has been charged with rape and burglary in connection with the late-August sexual assault of a woman who was being held in the Jackson County Detention Center, according to Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.
Dontae D. Jefferson, 29, faces charges of rape in the 1st degree, burglary in the 1st degree, and two counts of sexual abuse in the 1st degree.
According to court records filed today, the victim stated she had been fondled by a black male whom she believed to be a guard. Later, at a local hospital, the victim told officers she was scared to speak in front of jail staff. She said the suspect entered her cell. He had a Jackson County-issued orange t-shirt on his head. She identified the suspect as Dontae Jefferson. Once he entered the cell, he began to touch her and she pushed him away. He strangled and punched her, then he assaulted her sexually until he heard a whistle from the hallway. He hid, then left the cell.
A witness told police that a guard left keys in a door and an inmate kept a key. Later, that inmate let Jefferson out of his cell. Video surveillance showed three prisoners wandering freely in an area where the victim was housed. Jefferson was one of those three.
An active criminal investigation of this rape and other incidents continues.
The victim in the case released today a public statement through the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office.
“My life and the lives of my family have been in turmoil since the events of last week," the victim stated. "We are struggling to move forward. I am praying those responsible will be held to a measure of justice. While my family tries to recover, please respect my privacy. I am not providing interviews, but focusing on how to get my life on track again.”
Prosecutors have requested a bond of $1 million cash.
Jackson County orders audit of jail
Leaders are taking a closer look at the controversy at the Jackson County Jail.
County leaders just approved money to pay for an audit of the jail. An outsider will come in and look at how the facility operates.
It is different than the audits the jail already gets. Those are audits of the jail's finances. This one is a broader look at whole departments.
There is no word on when the audit will take place.
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Sarah Plake can be reached at Sarah.Plake@KSHB.com
