EAST LYME, Conn. — A Department of Correction Officer has been charged with sexual assault of an inmate at the York Correctional Institute.
Wesley Applegate, 38, of New London was arrested Monday for the alleged incident which took place in November 2020.
Applegate now charged with second-degree sexual assault after the arrest warrant stated several people witnessed him having sex with the 21-year-old inmate at the facility inside the OM (officer mess) room.
Applegate worked at the York Correctional Institution since 2008 but in December 2020, he was moved to Corrigan Correction Center after these allegations came out.
The warrant went on to say a witness told detectives she decided to report this because she was afraid the inmate was being raped by Applegate. Police took the inmate's clothes she wore the day of the incident as DNA evidence. The inmate eventually admitted to having sex with Applegate. She also stated "she was not forced, nor did she feel like she was forced."
It was revealed she had known Applegate for two years and they had kissed every time they saw each other but had no intentions of it becoming a dating relationship.
When Applegate was questioned by police, he denied the allegations. A background check was later conducted, and records showed Applegate had a DUI in 2014.
The Department of Corrections in an email, said:
"The events surrounding Wesley Applegate’s arrest are still actively being investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Correction, as a result no additional information can be released at this time."
A Stop Solitary CT committee member offered a response to this incident:
"Sexual assault against incarcerated people is not new within the DOC, and highlights the necessity of independent external oversight."
Applegate is currently on administrative leave. He is being held on a 50-thousand-dollar bond and is due back in court next month.
--
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.