Former Jail Guard Guilty of Sexual Misconduct

A former guard at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility is guilty of having had sex with an inmate, according to a jury in Washington County. Brian Balzer was convicted of custodial sexual misconduct.

Balzer's victim, who testified against him, was held in jail for nearly two months as a material witness after a judge accepted arguments from prosecutors that she might not show up to testify.

Balzer, however, was allowed to remain free - and will remain free until his sentencing next month.

Balzer's victim was finally released from jail on Thursday after the conviction. She had been held behind bars for 50 days and is considering a civil suit against the state corrections department and Washington County, according to the Oregonian.

Balzer was convicted of performing a sexual act on his victim while he was a guard and she was an inmate.