Ex-Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty in Sex Case

GRAND RAPIDS (AP) — A former corrections officer from Tower accused of having sex with a female inmate has pleaded guilty to some charges.

The Itasca County prosecutor's office says 56-year-old James Allen Bongaarts pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony.

Bongaarts was accused of multiple acts of sexual misconduct with a female inmate over a two-month period at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Togo. The facility, also known as Thistledew, houses a boot camp for non-dangerous adult women offenders.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections says Bongaarts was later fired.

Under the plea agreement, Bongaarts would receive more than five years in prison. The plea needs court approval.

Sentencing is set for May 13. Bongaarts had no comment when reached at home Monday.