OCALA: On May 4, 2006, a letter was received from an inmate alleging that a Corrections Assistant had inappropriate contact with him while he was serving on a work gang. An internal investigation was conducted and found that the Corrections Assistant violated two Sheriff's Office Operational Directives.
John Sotomayor was serving 9 days on a work gang for violating driver's license restrictions from a DUI charge in 2005. Sotomayor claims that on April 26, 2006, CA John Ambridge gave him a piece of paper with his personal contact information. Ambridge told Sotomayor that his wife would be out of town in June and suggested that they meet.
On May 5, 2006, investigators met with Sotomayor and conducted a controlled phone call with Ambridge. During this call, Ambridge inquired about Sotomayor's personal situation and asked if the two could meet in the morning for coffee. Ambridge then requested that the conversation be kept confidential.
On May 8, 2006, CA Ambridge met with investigators and admitted to providing his phone number and email address to inmate Sotomayor. He confirmed that he conducted a telephone conversation with the inmate and that he did want to meet with him.
It was found that CA John Ambridge did violate Operational Directive 1068.00 ? Code of Conduct and 6091.10 ? Interaction with Inmates.
On May 16, 2006 Ambridge was terminated from the Marion County Sheriff's Office, he has been employed as a Corrections Assistant since April 2002. |