Former New Mexico transport officer Marquet Johnson acknowledged violating authority and trust by sexually abusing three female pretrial inmates.
The unsettling series of assaults occurred during prisoner transports in 2019, with Johnson now facing dire consequences for his heinous actions.
Johnson’s guilty plea includes charges of raping two women and coercing another into performing oral sex. These despicable acts were committed while he was employed by Inmate Services Corporation (ISC), a private prisoner transport service based in Arkansas.
The distressing account of the assaults reveals a pattern of abuse and manipulation. Johnson’s first victim, a female detainee being transported from Santa Fe, New Mexico, was subjected to terrifying circumstances.
In a moment of vulnerability, when the transport van halted for gas and Johnson’s partner was absent, he abused his authority by removing restraints, brandishing a weapon, and assaulting the victim.
Strengthen New Mexico’s Legal Safeguards
Subsequently, Johnson admitted to similar acts of sexual assault during separate transports from Spencer, Indiana, to San Marcos, Texas, and from Baker County, Oregon, to Warrensburg, Missouri. Each incident involved a calculated abuse of power, violating the civil rights of these defenseless detainees.
US Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez emphasized the severity of these crimes, stating unequivocally that nobody, regardless of the alleged crime, should endure such abuse.
The Justice Department, led by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, is steadfast in seeking justice for the survivors of these egregious crimes.
The deeply troubling nature of these assaults has also shed light on broader concerns regarding prisoner transport practices. ISC settled a substantial class-action lawsuit alleging cruel and unusual treatment during transports, underscoring systemic issues within the industry.
Johnson’s guilty plea in New Mexico is a start in the right direction, but it won’t undo the great pain the victims endured.
Legal proceedings, including a potential 30-year prison sentence and compensatory damages, reflect the severity of his actions.
The New Mexico legal system needs to be extra watchful in defending the rights and welfare of the inmates as this heartbreaking case develops, making sure that those in charge of looking after them don’t misuse their power.
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