Second staffer at jail faces charge

Another Jay County Jail correctional officer is accused of engaging in sexual relations with an inmate.

William B. Bentz, 35, 2267 S. U.S. 27, Portland, was preliminarily charged with a Level 5 felony on Tuesday for sexual misconduct by a service provider with detainee. The charge stems from an incident that occurred Sunday morning.

Jay County Sheriff’s Office investigator Tony Lennartz explained an employee had been reviewing surveillance footage from the booking area of the jail when they noticed “something that didn’t look right,” leading staff to look into the issue.

Sheriff Ray Newton noted investigators have been reviewing footage since the incident, leading to Bentz’s arrest Tuesday. 

“We’re going to hold the employees accountable for actions like this,” he said. “We will not tolerate this. We are very fortunate we found it.”

Following his arrest Tuesday, Bentz was fired from his position at Jay County Jail. He was released from the jail on a $10,000 bond.

The case is still under investigation. As of Wednesday afternoon, official charges had not yet been filed in Jay courts.

Bentz, who has worked for the department since last year, is the second correctional officer this year to be accused of sexual misconduct with an inmate. John Richard Norris was charged in Jay Circuit Court on Feb. 21 with the same crime, having allegedly engaged in oral sex with an inmate.