Former corrections officer accused of unlawful sexual conduct

BUCKEYE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - A former Arizona corrections officer accused of having sexual encounters with a male inmate has been arrested.

Court records show an inmate at the Lewis State Prison in Buckeye called its rape hotline, saying he had performed sex acts on Juan Ignacio Ramirez twice over the course of a year and felt he couldn't say no.

During interviews, investigators say Ramirez, 26, told them he had been flirtatious, but denied physical contact. They say he later admitted to what happened.

"Investigators with the Arizona Department of Corrections arrested and booked former CO II Juan Ramirez into the Maricopa County jail Tuesday on two counts of unlawful sexual conduct, a class 5 felony. He is no longer an employee," stated Andrew Wilder, Director of Communications for the D.O.C.

Wilder added, "Sexual conduct with an inmate is a serious criminal act and is treated as such by the Department, as it jeopardizes the safe, secure and orderly operation of our prisons and puts other employees, inmates and the public at potential risk."