[1]Kristina M. Auckland sits at the defense table during her bail hearing.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A counselor at Cedar Creek Corrections Center has been arrested for allegedly spending nights at a Centralia motel with a former inmate, including the day he was released from prison.
Kristina M. Auckland, 31, was charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with first-degree custodial sexual misconduct. Centralia police arrested her yesterday.
Prosecutors say the inmate was supervised by Auckland during his stay at the Littlerock facility and that even after his release, she would have influence over his treatment during his period of community custody.
The 33-year-old man was released from confinement on Oct. 18, 10 days early upon her recommendation, prosecutors allege.
The case came under investigation after another employee of the state Department of Corrections saw the two together on Saturday at the Motel 6, according to charging documents.
The former inmate when interviewed yesterday told detectives the relationship was completely consensual, the documents state. He showed investigators text messages in which they both said loving things to each other.
It’s unlawful for an employee of a correctional agency to have sexual intercourse with someone who is an inmate or is under correctional supervision, if the defendant has or the victim believes they have, the ability to influence terms of their incarceration or supervision. First-degree custodial sexual misconduct has a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
A Centralia police detective confiscated both of their phones.
When Auckland was brought before a judge today in Lewis County Superior Court, a defense attorney shared information for the purposes of influencing the amount of bail, and to show the defendant appeared to qualify for a court-appointed lawyer.
The Castle Rock woman brings home about $2,400 each month and her husband works at Home Depot, wages that support them and their three children, according to attorney Joely O’Rourke.
She has a letter indicating she has been put on paid leave from her job, O’Rourke said.
Prosecutors noted Auckland has no felony convictions in her past.
Judge Nelson Hunt allowed her to be released pending trial on a $25,000 unsecured bond.
He declined a request from the state for a sexual assault protection order, saying he would only order it if the victim wanted it. Auckland is prohibited from contacting witnesses through the standard conditions of release.
Attorney Shane O’Rourke was appointed to represent her. Her arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 3.