Guard-inmate relationship probed

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — The district attorney’s office is in the midst of an investigation into claims a former McKinley County Adult Detention Center guard was involved in a sexual relationship with in an inmate.

Warden Donna Goodrich said 20-year-old Rosemary Gearhart is no longer employed with the jail, but did not say whether Gearhart was fired because the issue is considered a personnel matter.

Several other employees and another inmate told Goodrich about the alleged “inappropriate relationship” that occurred between Gearhart and an inmate. The allegations surfaced in March, Goodrich said.

“I conducted interviews with the inmates that are housed in the same pod as the incident occurred,” she said.

Video surveillance devices reportedly recorded Gearhart enter a “dark cell” and exit with the inmate. One inmate reportedly said Gearhart readjusted her clothing as she left the cell.

The inmate in question has denied the allegations and said Gearhart entered the cell to yell at him for being alone in an empty pod.

Goodrich said Gearhart was employed with the jail for a couple of months and previously worked at the women’s prison in Grants.

“She was originally hired because of her experience,” Goodrich said.

Criminal charges have yet to be filed against Gearhart and the incident remains under investigation.

District Attorney Karl Gillson did not immediately return a request for comment from the Independent about the status of the inquiry.