YORK, S.C. – A male inmate has been charged with sexually assaulting a female inmate while in a holding cell, and as a result two deputies have been put on leave.
The incident took place earlier this week inside the Moss Justice Center in York, police said.
Officials said James Richardson, 33, was put in the wrong holding cell where a female inmate was already being held.
The female inmate told police Richardson fondled her. Authorities say Richardson touched the woman's breast, buttocks and genital area while she slept at around 9 a.m. Saturday.
He has been charged with second-degree sexual assault and battery.
A sheriff's office attorney says the woman was already in the cell when officers placed Richardson there while his cell was being cleaned. Attorney Kristie Jordan says the woman was asleep with a blanket covering her head and body.
Reporter Amy Cowman is gathering more details and will have a full report today at 4 p.m. on NewsChannel 36.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
