VAN NUYS : Bailiff to Stand Trial in Inmate Sex Case

A sheriff’s deputy who worked as a bailiff in Van Nuys Superior Court was ordered to stand trial Friday for having sex with female jail inmates.

After rejecting a defense contention that a law barring inmate sex does not apply to deputies, Los Angeles Municipal Judge Elva R. Soper ordered the trial.

Larry Fraize was videotaped performing a sex act with a jail inmate during a sting operation on May 4, authorities have alleged. A 10-minute portion of the six-hour surveillance tape also shows the inmate engaging in sex with another woman in custody while Fraize looked on.

During arguments prior to Fraize’s preliminary hearing, defense attorney Paul Kinion said his client could not be prosecuted for engaging in a consensual sex act because the law he is accused of violating only applies to inmates, not correctional officials.

“He can’t be prosecuted under the statute,” Kinion maintained.

But Deputy Dist. Atty. Alan Yochelson countered by arguing that Fraize allowed and encouraged illegal sex acts to take place.

Fraize, 43, has pleaded not guilty to both charges, and is expected to again deny his guilt at a Superior Court arraignment Sept. 10.

Kinion said he will file papers in the next two weeks that will ask a Superior Court judge to dismiss the charges.

Fraize, who has been suspended from the Sheriff’s Department without pay, could be sentenced to two years in state prison if he is convicted.