Oregon: Ex-Prison Nurse Who Sexually Assaulted Inmates with Medical Conditions Sentenced to 30 Years

Tony Daniel Klein, the former prison nurse at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Oregon, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting multiple female inmates, including those with chronic medical conditions.

Federal prosecutors revealed that Klein preyed upon these vulnerable women, exploiting his position as a healthcare provider within the prison, according to The Sacramento Bee.

The former Oregon prison nurse, 39, had worked at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility since 2010, where he abused his authority and the trust placed in him by the inmates.

He resigned from his position in January 2018, just two months after the first inmate reported his misconduct to authorities.

Klein was sentenced on charges related to the sexual assault of nine female inmates, a case that was announced by the US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon on October 17.

Oregon Prison Nurse Sexual Assault

Prosecutors emphasized that the former Oregon prison nurse used his role to interact with female inmates seeking medical treatment or working as orderlies in the prison's medical unit, per Statesman Journal.

He engaged in non-consensual sexual conduct and sexual assault, taking advantage of his power over these women.

In court documents, one victim described the abuse as "traumatic and traumatizing."

Some women who had been assaulted by Klein experienced such emotional distress that they relapsed on drugs, and others avoided seeking medical treatment, both within the prison and after their release, due to their inability to trust a medical provider following their experiences.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division stressed the importance of ensuring the safety and dignity of incarcerated women, stating, "Women detained inside jails and prisons should be able to turn to medical providers for care and not be subjected to exploitation by those bent on abusing their power and position."

She assured that the Justice Department would thoroughly investigate credible allegations of sexual assault.

Former Oregon Prison Nurse Denies Allegations

Klein, however, continues to deny all allegations of sexual assault. His legal team, composed of Amanda Alvarez Thibeault and Matthew McHenry, plans to appeal the sentence, ABC News noted.

During the trial, they suggested that the accusations against Klein were part of a plot by incarcerated women to obtain financial settlements from the state.

The jury unanimously reached a verdict in July, finding Klein guilty of sexual assault. Prosecutors underlined that his actions not only abused his position but also violated the trust of the public.

US Attorney for the District of Oregon, Natalie Wight, acknowledged the bravery of the women who came forward and the dedication of the FBI and Civil Rights Division in bringing Klein to justice.

Numerous women have filed lawsuits against the state Department of Corrections and Klein, alleging sexual abuse since 2019.

The state has settled at least 11 of these cases, paying a total of $1.87 million, while maintaining its position of no wrongdoing.

Klein's 30-year prison sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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