A detention officer at Lexington Correctional Center, identified as Daniel Ackah, was arrested Wednesday and is accused of sexually assaulting an inmate following an incident reported March 13. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections says Ackah faces charges of rape by instrumentation and sexual battery, has been fired from his job, and was booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center. The arrest was carried out by the ODOC Office of Inspector General, and officials say the investigation is still active, as reported by KTUL.
According to KTUL, the ODOC Office of Inspector General took Ackah into custody on Wednesday, and the charges stem from the March 13 report. The outlet reports that the department provided details of the arrest and confirmed Ackah's booking into the county facility.
ODOC Chief of Operations Jason Sparks told KTUL that "incidents like this erode trust and damage the reputation of our profession as a whole." ODOC Director Justin Farris also told the station that the agency "will not tolerate misconduct, and we will hold those responsible fully accountable under the law."
Agency context and PREA data
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections says it maintains a zero tolerance standard for staff sexual misconduct and has increased audits and training in recent years. According to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections' PREA data, the agency reported 57 staff sexual misconduct allegations in 2024, 19 of which were listed as substantiated, and the department outlines corrective steps including facility site visits and updated training.
Legal implications
Under state law, "rape by instrumentation" covers nonconsensual penetration with an object or part of a person’s body and is a felony. The statute also provides for mandatory post imprisonment supervision in some cases. That definition and related provisions appear in Oklahoma law, as published by Justia.
What comes next
Ackah was booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center and faces criminal proceedings while the ODOC Office of Inspector General and local authorities continue their probe. The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office provides booking and custody information on its detention center page as the case moves forward.
Officials emphasize that the allegations remain under investigation and that the charges are accusations until proven in court. Court filings and any statements from prosecutors will mark the next public steps in the case.
