Globe-News, January 8, 2000

Ex-guard indicted on indecency with child
By Kevin Welch

CANADIAN - A Hemphill County grand jury indicted a former female guard at the Hemphill Juvenile Boot Camp and Detention Center on Wednesday on a charge of improper sexual behavior with an unidentified juvenile.

Kristy Sharpton, 22, has since paid her $2,500 bond on one count of indecency with a child. Officials subsequently freed her from the Hemphill County Jail, pending her trial, said Chief Sheriff's Deputy Doug Tennant.

"The sexual contact was with a male in the boot camp," Tennant said.

The boot camp, which is considered a medium security facility, is privately operated by Correctional Services Corporation for Hemphill County.

Most of those incarcerated at the facility are nonviolent, first-time offenders.

"She was not an employee of Hemphill County," County Judge Bob Gober said.

Sharpton was terminated from her job with Correctional Ser- vices Corporation, acting Facility Administrator Taylor Newcomb said.

The indictment alleges that Sharpton "knowingly or intentionally" engaged in sexual contact with the juvenile to arouse him by touching his genitals.