Deputy Accused of Sex With Inmate
A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was being held Tuesday on $50,000 bail amid allegations that he falsified documents to order five female inmates into his lockup area at the Pasadena courthouse, where he allegedly engaged in consensual sex with one of the women.
In a 29-count complaint, Deputy Walter Surowiec--who was working as a courthouse bailiff--is charged by the district attorney’s office with filing false in-custody removal orders and engaging in sexual activity with an inmate. The complaint alleges that the deputy filed false court papers ordering women jailed in the Sybil Brand Institute to be brought to his lockup.
Surowiec is scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles Municipal Court on Dec. 3.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Valerie Aenlle-Rocha, who is handling the case, said Surowiec engaged in consensual sex with a woman he befriended during her court appearances on a murder charge. Aenlle-Rocha said the deputy also is accused of giving the woman contraband, including magazines, candy and lingerie.
Authorities said the incidents took place between April and June and that Surowiec was placed on administrative leave in late June.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
