Guards Charged Over Inmate Sex

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) â€” In the latest twist in the state's ongoing prison sex scandal, two guards have been charged with allowing inmates to have sex at the governor's residence. <br><br>The South

Thursday, January 11th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) â€” In the latest twist in the state's ongoing prison sex scandal, two guards have been charged with allowing inmates to have sex at the governor's residence.

The South Carolina Corrections Department has been under fire since August when news accounts emerged of employees having sex with inmates.

Wednesday's charges involve guards Freddie Priester and Demont Gilbert and four minimum-security inmates who worked at the governor's mansion complex and temporary residence, handling maintenance, housecleaning and cooking.

Gov. Jim Hodges' office said personnel changes at the Corrections Department may be made.

``We're shocked, disgusted, furious,'' said Hodges' spokesman Morton Brilliant.

The charges also prompted an outcry from a top lawmaker.

``It's long past time that the ultimate in discipline be levied against those employees in the Department of Corrections,'' said Sen. Greg Ryberg, chairman of the Senate Corrections and Penology Committee. ``An example has to be set. We need to get this ship back on a level course.''

Neither guard is charged with having sex with the inmates, and prisoners told investigators they did not use the Hodges' bedroom or have encounters while the governor, the first lady or their two sons, ages 5 and 7, were home, said Richland County chief prosecutor Barney Giese.

Priester allegedly left his post at the temporary residence while Nancy Mulwee and Antoine Frazier had sex, according to an arrest affidavit.

Priester and Gilbert are also accused of failing to report sexual encounters between those prisoners and inmates Michelle Mathias and Todd Johnson. The encounters began in April and ended in December, the affidavit said.

Mathias became pregnant, and Priester tried to arrange an abortion for her, the affidavit says. Gilbert allegedly advised her to drink bleach to induce an abortion.

Corrections Department spokesman John Barkley said he did not know the status of Mathias' pregnancy. He said he was unsure what discipline the inmates might face.

Barkley said women prisoners will no longer be assigned to the governor's home or buildings on the mansion grounds.

He said Johnson, Mulwee and Frazier were serving time for possession of crack cocaine, while Mathias was serving five years for arson.

Priester, 49, and Gilbert, 22, spent Wednesday night in jail. Both were suspended without pay on Dec. 13.