Investigators: DOC officer had sex with inmate, helped with legal defense

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A corrections officer who is accused of having a sexual relationship with an inmate is also accused of trying to raise money for the inmate's legal defense.

Channel 9's Lauren Seabrook first reported Tuesday that officer Ericka Koger was involved in a sexual relationship with an unidentified inmate, a state investigation revealed.

A group of inmates in state custody nicknamed the officer “Cookie,” “Ruby Red” and “Wilma Flintstone.”

An investigation into Koger began in March 2016 while she worked at the Central Florida Reception Center in Orange County, a state prison owned and operated by the Florida Department of Corrections.

During the 17-page report, investigators said they spoke to five inmates and two corrections officers who said Koger brought cellphones and narcotics into the facility.

Koger also told inmates to raise money for the unidentified inmate’s legal fees, investigators said.

According to the investigation, inmates collected $400 through conversations over the cellphones.

Investigators found more than 200 text messages and at least eight phone calls to Koger. They said they also found 25 photos on the phones showing firearms, marijuana, cash, inmates smoking drugs and contraband packages wrapped in black tape.

Investigators said they found proof of the collected money wired to Koger under the name, Wilma Flintstone.

The paperwork described one text in which Koger told the inmates, “You guys are lucky to have me."

The investigation revealed the inappropriate and illegal relationships between Koger and the inmates went on for more than a year, and when Koger learned that she was under investigation she cried and said she was worried about her children, authorities said.

Cox Media Group