County Detention Officer Charged In Sexual Assault Of Inmate

CHARLOTTE, NC — A Mecklenburg County detention officer was arrested and charged with sexual assault of an inmate while they were in custody at the county jail, Charlotte police said Monday afternoon.

Kyle Harris, 28, was arrested June 7, and charged with three counts of second-degree sex offense, attempted second-degree sex offense, two counts of sexual battery and sexual assault by custodian, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.

"On May 20, 2021, detectives with [CMPD's] Sexual Assault Unit began conducting an investigation into a sexual assault where the suspect, a detention officer for the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, sexually assaulted the victim, who was in custody at the time of the incident," CMPD said in a statement. "Evidence collected identified Harris as a suspect, and a warrant was issued for his arrest."

Harris was fired Monday following the issuing of warrants for his arrest, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office. He has worked for the sheriff's office since August 2017.

"All employees of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office are required to demonstrate professional and ethical conduct," Sheriff Garry L. McFadden said in a statement following Harris' arrest. "There is no place in this organization for any employee that violates the public's trust and confidence in MCSO."

Harris had been on paid administrative leave since May 20, when CMPD launched a criminal misconduct investigation.

The sheriff's office said it had cooperated with CMPD's investigation and was unable to provide any further information on the criminal investigation or the pending criminal charges.

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