On Friday, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said that the indictment of a detention officer, Roy Eugene Ramey III, for felony sexual acts “reflects this office’s commitment to law and order even in circumstances when our own are accused.” Ramey was indicted by a state grand jury in late December on four felony counts of unlawful sexual conduct.
Because Penzone did not take office until January, it is unclear how he can claim that the indictment has anything to do with his administration.
Ramey joined MCSO in 2013 and was assigned to the Estrella jail. After his arrest, he was placed on administrative leave pending review of his case. Post-indictment, Ramey remains on Administrative Leave with MCSO pending termination.
Ramey is accused of engaging in sexual acts with a female inmate at the County’s Estrella Jail. The activities are alleged to have occurred over a two-month period in June and July of 2016 while Ramey was a detention officer. Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested him in September.
“Incarceration is meant to be a punitive response to criminal activity. As those responsible for managing detention environments, we must stand above the actions of those who are incarcerated,” said Sheriff Penzone.
“I am proud of the women and men on the MCSO team who do amazing work every day to keep our community safe,” said Penzone in praise of deputies, detention officers and civilian employees. “When one of our employees acts in a manner conflicting with our values or in violation of the law, we must ensure that they are held accountable and that it does not overshadow the good work done by their colleagues.”