A former federal prison nurse from Iowa is facing charges for engaging in sexually abusive conduct with an inmate and for lying to federal authorities about the affair. Jessica Lynn Larson, 37, who was employed at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota, was indicted for her illicit relationship with the inmate, only identified as Victim A, as revealed in a recent announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota.
The details of the case came to light following an investigation by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General and the Bureau of Prisons. The U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota, states that Larson and the inmate exchanged sexually explicit letters and had a sexual encounter in a shower room on April 3, 2024. It was the subsequent reporting by other nursing staff that led to the discovery of hidden letters in Victim A's cell and Larson's backpack. Larson later falsely reported to BOP officials that Victim A had sexually assaulted her and threatened to harm her children if she refused his advances or reported the assault—claims that were found to be untruthful.
In a marked transgression of boundaries and abuse of authority, Larson carried on the inappropriate relationship even after being placed on administrative leave, driving over 600 miles to Cincinnati, Ohio, to send Victim A a love letter at another BOP facility. "In Minnesota, we take sexual abuse—particularly when committed by those in positions of authority—very seriously," Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick stated. "Likewise, lying to the United States is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute defendants who commit these crimes," as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota.
Larson is set to make her initial court appearance before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty on April 9. As this case unfolds, Larson remains innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt—a core tenet of the American justice system. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson is tasked to prosecute this sensitive case.
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