Woman indicted on charges of sex with an inmate

CANTON — A suspended Gouverneur Correctional Facility employee was indicted Thursday by a St. Lawrence County grand jury on charges of having sex with an inmate.

Laura E. Douglass, 39, of 966 County Route 35, Potsdam, faces charges of third-degree rape, third-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree promoting prison contraband and two counts of official misconduct. She will be arraigned June 1 in County Court.

She is accused of having sex with a 31-year-old male inmate in December. She also allegedly provided a knife to an inmate in 2008.

Ms. Douglass worked as a principal account clerk at the medium-security state prison. She was among three women charged in the fall for allegedly having sex with inmates at the prison.

Lisa A. Vaughn, 41, Carthage, pleaded guilty last month to felony third-degree rape. The plea agreement calls for her to receive 10 years' probation and register as a sex offender when sentenced this month.

She was accused of having sexual intercourse and oral sex with four inmates. She also was accused of sneaking food, cigarettes and postage stamps to inmates. She was a laundry supervisor at the prison.

The third woman, Rachael S. Patterson, 32, Ogdensburg, also face charges of having sex with inmates. Her case is pending.

All three were suspended without pay pending the outcome of their criminal cases and face disciplinary charges with the state Department of Correctional Services.