Former corrections officer gets 4-year sentence for sexually assaulting inmates in jail's mental health unit

CLEVELAND — Andre Bacsa, a former Cuyahoga County Jail corrections officer who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting inmates in the jail’s mental health unit, will spend the next four years behind bars.

Bacsa pleaded guilty on March 16 to two counts of felony sexual battery, one count of sexual imposition and one count of unlawful restraint. He will have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

Court records stated Bacsa sexually assaulted three men between June 1 and June 17, 2021.

In court, Bacsa's attorney painted at least some of the victims were willing participants.

"It is consensual sex between two adults, full-grown adults," said defense attorney Jay Milano.

But the mother of one victim told the judge that she believed Bacsa was a predator who preyed on emotionally fragile victims.

"What he did to my son and the other victims was heinous and it was deplorable," said the woman who did not want to be identified.

Judge Joan Synenberg, who sentenced Bacsa on Thursday, said she didn’t hear any remorse from him, who said he considered the victims as “friends.”

“You lost your way. You are not there to have relationships with them. You are their keeper. You are there to protect them. You are there in a position of power are trust. The lines aren’t blurred. You completely crossed the line," she said in court.

RELATED: Cuyahoga County corrections officer charged with sexual assault for alleged jail incident

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