OSP employee charged

Derrick James, McAlester News-Capital, Okla.
·2 min read

Jul. 20—An Oklahoma State Penitentiary employee was charged this week for having sexual relations with an inmate.

Court records show Kelly Herrera, 47, of McAlester, was charged with felony rape and plead not guilty to the charge.

Pittsburg County Jail records show Herrera's initial bond of $25,000 was reduced to $7,500 and she was released from the Pittsburg County Jail after posting bond through a bondsman.

A probable cause affidavit filed in the case states the investigation began after a Prison Rape Elimination Act complaint was filed by OSP Warden Christie Quick.

The warden received information about a rumor circulating that Herrera was engaging in an inappropriate relationship with an inmate, the affidavit states.

Investigators reviewed security footage and found video of Herrera "engaging in physical contact" inside an office, the report states.

Herrera, who was a customer service representative III employed at OSP, was interviewed by agents from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections' Office of Inspector General's Investigations Division and waived her right to an attorney, the affidavit states.

According to the report, Herrera was told about the security footage and admitted to engaging in a relationship with an inmate, which started through text messages and exchanging sexually explicit photos before the relationship became physical.

Herrera admitted to having sexual relations with the inmate four to five times inside the canteen warehouse, the report states.

The woman then consented to a search of two cellular devices she owned and admitted that one cell phone would contain the text messages and photos sent between herself and the inmate, the affidavit states.

During an interview with investigators, the inmate at first admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with Herrera, but denied they ever engaged in sexual intercourse, according to the report.

The inmate later admitted the relationship became sexual and that it started nine months prior to his talk with investigators and that he obtained a contraband cell phone in order to speak and exchange messages with the woman, the affidavit states.

Court records show that investigators requested that Herrera to be charged with four counts of rape, one time for each admitted incident.

A preliminary hearing conference is scheduled in the case for Aug. 15.