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Press Release

Former Rensselaer County Correctional Officer Indicted for Sexually Abusing Inmate

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of New York

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Sean Morrissey, age 51, of Waterford, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with abusive sexual contact of a ward, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Morrissey was a correctional officer at Rensselaer County Correctional Facility (“RCCF”) at the time of his alleged crime.  According to the indictment, between September 7, 2018 and September 21, 2018, Morrissey knowingly rubbed the genitalia of a female federal detainee, with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of a person. The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The charge filed against Morrissey carries a maximum term of 2 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 1 year.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Morrissey was arraigned today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel.  He was released with conditions pending a trial to be scheduled before Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.

Updated June 29, 2022

Topic
Civil Rights