Former prisoner transport officer sentenced for sexually assaulting detainees
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A former private prison transport officer will serve 30 years in federal prison after he raped several female detainees across the U.S., including in New Mexico. Marquet Johnson, 45, worked for Inmate Services Corporation (ISC) and was performing a government function, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reports.
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According to a news release, the event occurred in 2019, when Johnson was working transporting people arrested on out-of-state warrants to the state in which they were wanted. During the transport, investigators say he stopped at a truck stop and later raped her.
“Law enforcement officers and other officials receive certain powers from the government so they can defend the rights of the people and prevent wrongdoing,” said Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office in a news release. “When individuals working in an official capacity violate the trust of their communities by abusing that power, they undermine the hard work of all officials. The despicable actions perpetuated by Johnson, against those he was entrusted to protect, have no place in society. When you break the trust you’re given as a member of law enforcement and ultimately break the law, there are consequences. Today’s sentence is a resounding reminder that the FBI is committed to restoring trust in law enforcement by holding those who abuse their privileges and abandon their responsibilities accountable. We encourage survivors to find the courage to come forward and report these crimes to the FBI. I commend the hard work of our agents, our law enforcement partners with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico with helping to bring justice to the victims in this case and holding Johnson to account for his crimes.”
Johnson admitted that the 2019 incident in New Mexico was not the only time he sexually assaulted someone he was transporting, the DOJ said. Johnson admitted to three incidents, including the New Mexico incident. However, according to court documents, after those allegations came to light authorities learned about other victims.
In addition to his 30-year prison sentence, Johnson must register as a sex offender.
