MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A 23-year-old correctional officer is charged in connection with a series of alleged sexual assaults involving a 15-year-old girl at a juvenile correctional facility, according to authorities.
Devin Michael Wood, of Grand Rapids, Minn. is charged with five counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for the alleged assaults, which took place between April 10 and April 12 at the North Homes Juvenile Correctional Facility in Grand Rapids.
According to the charges, the victim told authorities Wood made sexual advances towards her, which turned into sexual contact on several occasions in her cell. She said the two engaged in sexual intercourse and provided police with two notes Wood had written to her.
The notes contained graphic sexual content directed at the victim, according to the charges.
Wood was arrested on his way to work at North Homes. He initially denied any relationship with the victim, though eventually told investigators he went into her cell and gave her a hug, according to the complaint.
After more questioning, Wood admitted to kissing the victim and claimed she attempted to grab him inappropriately when he was in her cell but he denied her advances and left.
Wood was questioned about the notes written to the victim and initially denied any involvement but later changed his story and admitted to writing them, according to the charges. Still, he claimed he did not act on anything suggested in the notes.
Investigators say Wood was inconsistent in his statements and failed to make eye contact while answering questions.
He was then booked into the Itasca County Jail.
On Thursday, Wood made is first court appearance in connection with the charges and bail was set for $50,000 without conditions or $30,000 with conditions. He must abstain from alcohol, drugs, have no contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with girls under the age of 18 and remain law abiding.
His next court appearance is scheduled for May 5.
