DOC officer faces trafficking, sex crimes charges

A Clinton man, who is an Indiana Department of Corrections officer, has found himself on the wrong side of the law.

According to court documents, Samuel Magaji, 61, of Clinton, is facing a Level 6 felony charge of sexual misconduct - service provider engages in fondling or touching; and two misdemeanor charges of trafficking with an inmate. The charges stem from an investigation into Magaji, who worked at the Rockville Correctional Facility, that he allegedly trafficked items and inappropriately touched a female inmate. 

A probable cause states Magaji gave candy and food items, as well as a lace bra to the female inmate. According to video evidence, Magaji is seen in one incident giving candy to the inmate, who hides it in her pants and then puts the candy in her mouth. Another video shows Magaji fondle the inmate's breasts, while another shows Magaji walk into the shower area where the inmate is, turn towards the shower and pauses before walking out. 

An investigation resulted in an interview with the inmate, who told investigators she was touched by Magaji, who also asked her if she would perform a sex act on him. She acknowledged it didn't happen however, because the two could not "get alone long enough."

Investigators then interviewed Magaji, who said he understood why he was being questioned. When asked if he gave the inmate candy, Magaji told investigators he was a diabetic and did not eat candy. According to documents, Magaji told investigators he was going to deny doing anything until he saw the video evidence. When shown still photos, he admitted to being the man in the photos, but still maintained that he did not bring in candy or sweets.

"I asked permission to look in his lunchbox and he gave us verbal permission to look into it. In his lunchbox we located multiple large sugar cookies and snickerdoodle cookies that were purchased at Casey's Gas Station. When I asked him about these, he told us that they have been there for a while," the investigator wrote in his report.

Court records show Magaji posted a $1,000 cash bond and is due in court again on Aug. 28 for a pretrial hearing.