May 02, 2025
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Michael Jefferson, 42, of Cherry Hill, allegedly sexually assaulted a female inmate while working as a correctional officer at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia in July. Above, the prison is shown at the corner of Seventh and Arch streets.
A correctional officer at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia is accused of sexually assaulting an inmate in July at the prison in Center City, federal prosecutors said.
The incident happened July 6 at the facility on the corner of Seventh and Arch streets. Michael Jefferson, 42, of Cherry Hill, allegedly forced himself on a female inmate who was under his supervision "when he laid on top of the Victim and held the Victim down," according to an indictment handed down by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Jefferson allegedly penetrated the inmate against her will, prosecutors said.
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Jefferson, who was working at the time of the alleged assault, was arrested Thursday and has since been suspended by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which operates the Federal Detention Center.
Prosecutors allege Jefferson violated the inmate's constitutional protection against cruel and unusual punishment.
Jefferson is charged with aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a ward and deprivation of rights under color of law. If convicted, he faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
