Attorney General’s Office secures guilty plea from former Franklin County corrections officer accused of sexual misconduct

OLYMPIA—A former Franklin County Corrections Officer entered a guilty plea in Franklin County Superior Court in response to sexual misconduct charges filed by the Attorney General’s Office in late April.

Justin Thomas Husom pled guilty today to:

• One count of custodial sexual misconduct in the first degree (class C felony);
• One count of custodial sexual misconduct in the second degree (gross misdemeanor); and
• One count of official misconduct (gross misdemeanor).

The state alleged that while serving as a corrections officer at the Franklin County jail, Husom had sexual contact with two separate female inmates in exchange for items such as razors and candy.

“The people of Washington hold our state’s corrections officers to a high standard when it comes to their interactions with inmates,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “Mr. Husom violated the public’s trust and has been held accountable for taking advantage of not only one but two women in custody.”

The state is recommending Husom receive 10 months in jail for the felony first degree custodial sexual misconduct charge and suspended jail time of 364 days to be served concurrently for each of the other two charges. The state also requests Husom be ordered to:

• have no contact with either victim for five years;
• comply with sex offender registration requirements; and
• pay a $500 fee plus other standard fees.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

 The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The Franklin County Prosecutor referred the case to the AGO to avoid the appearance of conflict.
Assistant Attorney General Tienney Milnor is lead counsel on this case.

More information: Amended charging documents   

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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Attorney General Bob Ferguson is working hard to protect consumers and seniors against fraud, keep our communities safe, protect our environment and stand up for our veterans. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.