The day after a Washington County Jail Corrections Officer was arrested by the Indiana State Police on a charge of sexual misconduct and trafficking with a female inmate, Sheriff Brent Miller says he will not tolerate this type of behavior.
“We expect, and the people of Washington County deserve, an even higher standard of our jail officers and this will not be tolerated in our facilities,” he said.
Jacob Silverthorn was arrested on Monday, August 17, 2020 and charged today with Sexual Misconduct, a level 5 felony, and Trafficking with an Inmate, a class A
misdemeanor.
Silverthorn has also been terminated from employment with the
Washington County Sheriff’s Department.
The investigation leading to Silverthorn’s arrest and termination was initiated by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police.
On August 17, a female inmate at the Washington County Jail advised Jail staff that she had had sexual contact with Silverthorn while she was an inmate and he was on duty.
“Upon learning this information, I acted immediately to investigate the matter with the assistance of the Indiana State Police,” said Miller. “We took necessary and quick action to hold the perpetrator accountable and protect the victim.”
Upon being interviewed by Indiana State Police Detective, Travis Baker, the female inmate confirmed what she had told Jail staff, and advised that on August 14, 2020, she and Silverthorn had sexual intercourse in her cell.
The female inmate further advised that Silverthorn had also brought liquid nicotine into the jail and given it to her and other
inmates.
Detective Baker also interviewed Silverthorn, who admitted that on August 14, 2020 he had sexual intercourse with a female inmate in her cell.
Silverthorn also admitted to bringing liquid nicotine into the jail and giving it to female inmates.
Based upon this information, Detective Baker arrested Silverthorn, who was transported to the Scott County Jail.
