(Stillwater, Okla.) — A former contract registered nurse at the Cimarron Correctional Facility in Cushing — originally accused of sexually battering an inmate and bringing him contraband — has been placed on one year’s probation on charges reduced from felonies to misdemeanors, a court official told KUSH Monday.
Linda Juanita Bogaski, 49, of Bethany, pleaded guilty Friday to acts resulting in gross injury and possession of contraband, described as tobacco, in a penal institution, court records show.
As part of a plea bargain with the prosecution, Associate District Judge Stephen Kistler Friday ordered Bogaski to complete a mental health evaluation as well as any follow-up and to perform 100 hours of community service within a year.
Bogaski was also ordered Friday to pay a $500 fine, $250 to the victims’ compensation fund and a $40 monthly prosecution reimbursement fee, as well as court costs.
Bogaski’s relationship with the inmate, a convicted armed robber serving a 15-year sentence, who is now incarcerated in another facility, came to light after a Cushing prison guard saw the nurse give the inmate a note at his cell in January, state Department of Corrections Internal Affairs Agent Randy Knight wrote in an affidavit.
Prison staff searched the inmate’s cell “and recovered several correspondence letters signed by ‘Linda,"” in his personal property, the affidavit said.
On Jan. 7, the private prison’s investigator, Joe Sebenick, interviewed Bogaski, who admitted an “inappropriate relationship” with the inmate including once assisting him with fondling himself through the cell food port, the affidavit said.
Bogaski also admitted she introduced tobacco and a cell phone to the inmate, the affidavit said.
“Bogaski was terminated and escorted off the property,” the affidavit said.
The Cushing private prison asked for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the relationship between the contract nurse and the inmate, the affidavit said.
The state DOC internal affairs agent conducted an interview with Bogaski at its Tulsa office on Jan. 16, in which she admitted she initially kissed the inmate on several occasions and began corresponding with him through letters, the affidavit said.
“Bogaski admitted she introduced two pouches of tobacco and a cellular telephone to (the inmate) by walking the contraband through the security check point without detection,” the affidavit said.
“Bogaski further admitted she sent nude photographs to (the inmate) and communicated,” with him frequently, the affidavit alleged.
According to Bogaski, between Dec. 2013 and Jan. 2014, she went to the inmate’s cell and used her hand to fondle the inmate through the food port of his cell door, the affidavit said.
On Jan. 17, the inmate “affirmed the information provided by Linda Bogaski, that he and Bogaski participated in an inappropriate relationship and assisted him with self-masturbation on one occasion,” the affidavit said.
The inmate “further admitted he requested Bogaski introduce the tobacco and cellular telephone,” the affidavit said.
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