Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility Charges filed by Prosecutor

PENDLETON, IN - Madison County Prosecutor Thomas Broderick, Jr., filed formal criminal charges today against 4 public servants for the alleged misconduct with an offender incarcerated at the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility. Prosecutor Broderick stated that the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility is operated by the Indiana Department of Correction and houses an average daily population of 300 offenders. 

According to Broderick the facility is a Maximum Security facility, and the individuals at the facility come from all over the State from court commitments made by the various juvenile judges in the State.  Those in the facility, for the most part, according to Prosecutor Broderick, are people who have been convicted of violent or weapon’s based offenses. 

Broderick stated, these are offenders who require close supervision and tight security to minimize the risk to the public, staff and themselves. In addition to protecting our communities by incarceration the State attempts to provide services and programs to modify behavior and to reduce recidivism.   

Prosecutor Broderick charged: 
 

• Carol D. Durant, 50. of New Lisbon, Indiana, a laundry services worker at the facility, with Sexual Misconduct by a Service Provider with a Detainee, a class C felony and Official Misconduct, a class D felony 
• Rebecca D. Cole, 26, of Knightstown, Indiana, a correctional guard at the facility with Official Misconduct, a class D felony and Trafficking with an inmate, a class A misdemeanor. 
• Melissa D. Pfleeger, 34, of Anderson, Indiana, a contract food services worker at the facility, with Sexual Misconduct by a Service Provider with a Detainee, a class C felony and Official Misconduct, a class D felony.  
• Aissatou Kebe, 25 of Noblesville, Indiana, a correctional officer at the facility, with Official Misconduct a class D felony and Trafficking with an Inmate a class A misdemeanor. 

  “Bearing in mind that each of the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, we, nonetheless, expect public servants, law enforcement and officials working in correctional facilities to themselves follow the law. You can have no hope at meaningful rehabilitation of offenders if those in charge of their care violate the law and their public trust.”  Broderick said.

He also noted, this is not the first time they have had to investigate or prosecute such matters. 

“From incidents of battery on inmates, to a riot, to trafficking, those entrusted with law enforcement have been the catalyst for these incidents on too many occasions. The fact is, that the current superintendent and the vast majority of the staff work hard each day to do the right thing, to help keep offenders on the right track and to protect our communities.”

“Our office will continue to review reported misconduct by offenders or public servants and prosecute when appropriate.”