Woman says she was sexually abused while in jail

CHARLESTON -- A Kanawha County woman is suing over claims she was sexually abused while incarcerated in West Virginia.

Sherena Perdue filed a lawsuit May 19 in Kanawha Circuit Court against C.O. William Wilson, Chief Correctional Officer Lt. Larry Bunting, the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority and John Doe, citing sexual abuse.

According to the complaint, Perdue was sexually harassed and abused by Wilson, who was assigned to supervise the plaintiff by Bunting, while at Southern Regional Jail. The lawsuit states abuse of women has been prevalent at the facility since its opening, and Bunting is accused of failing to discipline officers and concealing incident reports.

Wilson and Bunting are accused of assault, battery and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Perdue is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

She is being represented in the case by attorney Michael A. Woelfel. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie L. Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court Case No. 14-C-919