Inmate says she was sexually assaulted by officer

CHARLESTON - An inmate at the Anthony Correctional Center in Greenbrier County has filed a suit against the West Virginia Division of Corrections, claiming she was sexually assaulted while she was an inmate.

Ashley Radford filed the suit Aug. 11 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Dave Masters and the WV Division of Corrections.

"Since the opening of The Anthony Correctional Center, there has existed a continuing practice and patter of sexual harassment, sexual abuse and sexual assault visited upon inmates at the hands of one or more correctional officers," the suit says.

Radford claims that in 2006 and 2007 she was a sexually harassed and assaulted by Dave Masters, a supervising officer of the center. The assault included unwelcome touching, civil and sexual assault, emotional distress and the invasion of her right to privacy.

Radford claims there was a conspiracy to avoid a criminal investigation of the federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

According to the suit, the West Virginia Division of Corrections failed to properly supervise and train the officers at the Anthony Correctional Center.

In the 10-count suit, Radford seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

Attorney Kerry A. Nessel is representing Radford. The case has been assigned to Judge Jennifer Bailey Walker.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 08-C-1536