Guard Sexually Assaulted Delaware County Prison Inmate: State Police

CHESTER, PA — A prison guard at a state facility in Delaware County has been arrested and charged with sexual assault of an inmate, authorities said.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, Alyssa Nicole Pierce, a 32-year-old corrections officer at State Correctional Institution Chester from Philadelphia, was charged with three felony counts of institutional sexual assault and two felony counts of criminal use of a communications facility.

State Police said they launched an investigation into Pierce back in early June.

Pierce, police said, on three occasions was involved in indecent contact and/or sexual intercourse with a 27-year-old male inmate at the facility.

Authorities allege Pierce had unlawful communication with the victim inmate through the use of telephonic and electronic messaging means from March 3 through June 10.

An arrest warrant was issued for Pierce on Aug. 15, and then she surrendered to authorities.

Pierce was released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 30.

It's unclear what Pierce's employment status with the facility is as of Tuesday morning.

Patch has reached out to the Pennsylvania Department o Corrections for more information and will update the story when additional details are made available.