Prison officer charged with rape

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - A man who once made his living as a Kentucky state corrections officer is now on the wrong side of the bars.

Kenneth Hammonds, 51, is a former employee of the Roederer Correctional Complex in LaGrange. Lisa Lamb, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Department of Corrections, said Hammonds resigned from his position on Nov. 15 while an investigation into charges against him was underway.

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Lamb said the internal investigation into Hammonds' conduct was launched after a victim came into the prison with an item belonging to him.

Hammonds was arrested Dec. 23 is being held at Louisville Metro Corrections on multiple charges, including two counts of rape and two counts of official misconduct.

During his arraignment in Jefferson Circuit Court on Jan. 6, Hammonds pleaded not guilty. Bond is set at $5,000 and his next court date was set for Feb. 5.

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