SALEM -- A former deputy pleaded guilty Friday to charges stemming from his inappropriate behavior with a female inmate who was under his supervision, said Don Thomson of the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Mark Samuels, 54, was sentenced to 3 years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for a range of charges including sexual abuse and sexual misconduct. He will no longer be able to serve in law enforcement or any public safety position, Thomson said.
"Mr. Samuels' actions were illegal and clearly outside of our office's organizational values. His actions were very disappointing to all of us, and I can assure you the appropriate actions were taken when the situation was discovered. I support the public's expectation that all members of the sheriff's office are held to the highest professional standards of public safety," said Marion County Sheriff Jason Myers in a statement to KGW.
Samuels was terminated on May 23, 2012 after the sheriff's department conducted an internal investigation regarding allegations that arose in December. He had worked for the Marion County Sheriff's Office for four years in the jail work center.
Oregon Department of Corrections personnel took Samuels into custody immediately following the sentencing.
