A former correctional officer at a Texas juvenile detention facility faces serious charges following accusations of sexual assault. Yuliana Mares, 40, has been charged with the violation of a person in custody's civil rights through improper sexual activity, a first-degree felony, and indecency with a child by sexual contact, a second-degree felony, as FOX 7 reported.
The charges stem from an incident in February at the Evins State Juvenile Correctional Facility in Edinburg, with the investigation led by the Office of Inspector General at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). According to Click2Houston, Mares is accused of inappropriately touching the genitals of a 16-year-old male inmate.
Mares was arrested following the investigation, and if convicted, the former juvenile corrections officer could be looking at penalties ranging from fines up to $10,000 to potential life in prison, depending on the outcome of the case. The Special Prosecution Unit will prosecute the case.
TJJD has offered avenues for the public to report any misconduct. Complaints can be emailed to [email protected] or reported through a 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-866-477-8354.
