BY KEITH EPPS
A former correctional officer received a suspended sentence yesterday for having sex with an inmate.
Richard Walter Zacofsky, 39, was working at the Rappahannock Regional Jail when he was arrested earlier this year.
Zacofsky pleaded guilty yesterday in Stafford Circuit Court to a single felony count of carnal knowledge of an inmate.
As part of a plea agreement, he was sentenced to two years in prison, all of which was suspended.
Prosecutor Amy Casey dropped a forcible sodomy charge against Zacofsky.
Though the victim said the sex was against her will, Casey said an investigation convinced authorities that the sex was consensual. Consensual sex with an inmate by a correctional officer is still a felony.
According to Casey, Zacofsky, who was married at the time, became enamored with the inmate and began a relationship with her.
The two had sexual intercourse
once and several other sexually related encounters, she said.
At some point, jail officials heard about the relationship and confronted Zacofsky, Casey said. Zacofsky immediately admitted having relations with the woman and was fired.
The woman, who is married, is still incarcerated but is no longer at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Attorney Joe Synan represented Zacofsky.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com