Former Fulton County Detention Officer Accused of Improper Sexual Contact With Inmate

A former detention officer for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office was arrested Monday following the discovery of a cellphone video showing her engaged in “inappropriate behavior” with an inmate. 

Kawana Jenkins has been charged with two counts of improper sexual contact by an employee or agent, five counts of violation of oath by a public officer, two counts of reckless conduct, two counts of cruelty to inmates, and one count of giving an inmate a prohibited item without authorization. 

According to the arrest warrant, obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the phone containing the damning footage was one of 11 devices confiscated during a search of several inmate housing units in the early morning hours of Jan. 28. Authorities observed two recorded instances in which Jenkins had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with an inmate. 

One of the recordings, which can be seen above, shows an inmate, believed to be Jamal Ward, sticking his hand out in front of the camera. The clip cuts off before Jenkins allegedly licks and sucks on Ward’s fingers. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the other video shows Jenkins sitting on Ward’s lap while licking and kissing his face. 

Jenkins was fired after authorities were able to confirm her identity in the recordings. She had been working at the Sheriff’s Office since December 2019. 

In 2015, a 20-year-old Ward was charged with murder and aggravated assault with intent to murder in connection to the fatal shooting of Tiara Bogan near Turner Field in Atlanta, as reported by the AJC.

Jenkins was booked in the same location where she once worked, and granted a $135,000 bond on Tuesday.