Former jail officer sentenced

A former Jay County Jail correctional officer has been sentenced to one year of home detention for engaging in sexual acts with an inmate.

John R. Norris, 33, Dunkirk, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Jay Circuit Court to sexual misconduct, a Level 5 felony. Norris was charged in court Feb. 21 with knowingly or intentionally engaging in sexual intercourse with an inmate.

Jay County prosecutor Wes Schemenaur explained in court Wednesday that Norris engaged in oral sex with the inmate.

Jay County Sheriff’s Office administration learned about the alleged act Jan. 31 from the inmate’s cellmate, Paige Curtis. She told police her cellmate, identified as “KB” in court, was “hyper sexual and wanted some male attention,” court documents say. She said Norris slipped “KB” his phone number on the back of a feminine hygiene pad while working in December.

Curtis also said “KB” had been flirting with Norris using the jail’s messaging system, Chirps, and that he expressed sexual arousal and a desire to be alone with her. 

“KB” choked on a potato chip while in her cell on the evening of Dec. 15, and Norris entered her cell and performed the Heimlich maneuver on her. Curtis told investigators Norris and “KB” then began kissing.

Later that night, she said, Norris returned to their cell, and Curtis and Norris engaged in oral sex. Curtis told police that Norris would not let her leave the cell during the interaction.

“KB” told investigators she had oral sex with Norris, and after the initial incident Norris was “in and out of the cell block many times,” walking into the cell to “expose himself to them,” according to court documents.

Schemenaur pointed Wednesday to the inherent imbalance of power between Norris and “KB,” noting inmates are “totally at the liberty” of those working at Jay County Jail. He requested Norris receive a three-year sentence with two years spent in prison and one on probation. 

Norris’ 14-year-old daughter and his wife, Alyssa Norris, both took the stand. Both of them asked Jay Circuit Court Judge Brian Hutchison to consider a lesser sentence.

Alyssa Norris, who has been married to John Norris for nearly two years, explained she has difficulties working because of a heart condition. A part-time employee at Jay County Pregnancy Care Center, she noted their family’s lives would be significantly impacted if her husband wasn’t able to provide income for them for a period of time. 

She also said John Norris has been attending therapy, as well as attending services at Lighthouse Church in Hartford City. She told the court she’s seen a change in her husband in the last few months.

“He wants to be the man I deserve, the man he was not being in our marriage,” she said.

Norris said he has post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in United States Air Force. 

He talked about his time working hospital security, as well as concerns about his wife’s medical condition and father’s failing health. 

He also mentioned that he has served as a coach with little leagues in Redkey and Dunkirk and expressed a desire to continue coaching in the upcoming years.

Norris apologized Wednesday for his actions.

“I would like to say I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ve hurt so many people too from this … I’m trying to be a better man for my wife, a man she deserves …”

Hutchison noted most offenders apologize at their sentencing hearings. He asked Norris for an indication as to what happened, why it happened and why it won’t happen again, with Norris saying he “should’ve known better.”

“It was a heinous act,” said Hutchison. “A selfish and stupid act.”

He sentenced Norris to three years in Indiana Department of Correction and gave him credit for one day served. Two years of Norris’ sentence will be spent on probation, with the initial year spent on home detention. Norris will be confined to his home unless traveling to or from work, appointments with Jay County Community Corrections or attending church or therapy.