CLEVELAND — A corrections officer at the Cuyahoga County Jail is facing charges for alleged sexual assaults that authorities say occurred inside the jail.
According to Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas records, the jailer, Andre Julius Bacsa, 34, is charged via criminal complaint with three counts of rape, all first-degree felonies; three counts of sexual battery, both third-degree felonies and two counts of gross sexual imposition, both fourth-degree felonies.
Court records state Bacsa sexually assaulted three men between June 1 and June 17.
In some cases prosecutors accuse Bacsa of forcing the men into sexual contact.
Bacsa has been placed on administrative leave. He was hired as a corrections officer on March 18, 2019.
According to his most-recent job performance review Bacsa worked in the jail's mental health unit.
Records show he was placed on paid administrative leave last week after the allegations surfaced.
Bacsa is currently being held in jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.
The sheriff's office said the case has been sent to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office to determine if additional charges will be filed.
“The care and protection of our jail detainees is of paramount concern. It is never acceptable to violate people’s rights as an employee of the Sheriff’s Department, and we continue with our pledge to proactively ensure that our staff serves at a high standard and is held strictly accountable," said Cuyahoga County Sheriff Christopher Paul Viland.
A Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department spokesperson said the investigation continues, including trying to determine if other victims are out there.
Attorney Henry Hilow, who represents one of the accusers, said he was glad the sheriff's department responded to the allegations that were made and that they weren't ignored.
Hilow didn't want to comment further on the ongoing investigation. He said he'll rely on the justice system to act on his client's behalf.
RELATED: Continuing County Jail coverage
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