Pierce County corrections deputy arrested for sex with inmate

A Pierce County corrections deputy was arrested after allegedly admitting to have sex with a female inmate inside the county jail.

Department spokesman detective Ed Troyer said the woman came forward with the allegation several days ago. The deputy, Jason Pardes, was a new employee just ending his probationary period with the sheriff’s department.

Pardes was arrested on suspicion of second-degree rape and his employment with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office terminated, according to Troyer. He was booked into the Pierce County Jail late Tuesday.

The allegation of second-degree rape could change according to Troyer because both the woman and the corrections officer claim the sexual contact was consensual.

However, under Washington state law it is a felony for corrections deputies to have sex with inmates when, “The victim is a resident of a state, county, or city adult or juvenile correctional facility, including but not limited to jails, prisons, detention centers, or work release facilities, or is under correctional supervision and the perpetrator is an employee or contract personnel of a correctional agency.”

The charge is listed as Custodial Sexual Misconduct in the Revised Code of Washington. A charging decision in Padres case is expected Friday. He is being held on $1 million bail.

Troyer said Pardes is cooperating with investigators and that the case will be given to a prosecutor outside Pierce County.

Cox Media Group