Nurse At Pinellas Jail Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Woman

HUDSON, FL — A nurse at the Pinellas County Jail has been arrested after being accused of videotaping and sexually assaulting a woman.

Edward Ross, 37, of Hudson has been charged with sexual battery, false imprisonment and extortion. He is on unpaid administrative leave from his job while the investigation is underway. He's been employed by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office since 2013.

According to the arrest affidavit, on April 9, Ross is accused of hiding three video cameras in the woman's bedroom. When she went to bed, deputies said Ross got into bed with her, tried to take her clothes off and then sexually battered her.

Deputies said the woman tried to leave the house, but Ross wouldn't allow her to leave. When he fell asleep, she grabbed her car keys and fled.

Afterward, he threatened her if she told authorities. Pasco County sheriff's deputies said she feared for her life and the lives of her children but reported the assault.

Ross was taken to the Land O' Lakes Detention Center where bail was set at $265,000.