Ex-jailer to be tried for trading inmates favors for sex

NEOSHO, Mo. -- A former Newton County jailer, earlier acquitted of having sexual contact with an inmate, has been ordered to stand trial on new charges he traded female inmates favors for sex.

Josh Paul Ulbrich was bound over on seven felony counts of acceding to corruption, following a preliminary hearing Monday in Newton County. Ulbrich, 22, was ordered to appear April 8 for formal arraignment at the courthouse in Neosho.

The allegations date back to December 2000 through January 2001, when Ulbrich worked at the Newton County Jail.

Three women allege Ulbrich -- who has since been fired -- sought sex from them in exchange for providing them with privileges such as using the telephone. Ulbrich also allegedly got medicine for the women.

Ulbrich faces up to five years in prison on each count if convicted.

The women, who range in age from early 20s to early 30s, made the allegations after Ulbrich was charged in other cases.

Ulbrich was acquitted in November on a charge he sodomized a female inmate in January 2001. He also is charged in the alleged forcible rape of another female inmate, but an assistant prosecutor has said he would delay that case to focus on the latest charges.