Former Scott County jail officer charged with having sex with inmate gets new judge

BENTON, Mo. -- A former Scott County corrections officer charged with having sexual relations with female prisoners waived his arraignment Thursday before Circuit Court Judge David Dolan, who also granted a change of judge in the case.

The case has now been moved to Associate Circuit Judge Terry L. Brown's court, still in Scott County.

Michael Proctor, 28, of Chaffee, Mo., was arrested on suspicion of sexual misconduct in September after Scott County detectives reviewed a surveillance video, which revealed him leading an inmate into a property room in the jail, normally off-limits to prisoners.

After charges were filed last year, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said he ordered the review of the tapes when he started hearing rumors that something had happened in the jail.

Following Proctor's arrest, a second corrections officer from Scott County, Ronald A. Baker, 42, of Sikeston, Mo., was also charged with having sexual relations with two female prisoners in the jail.

According to a probable-cause statement, one of the inmates said Baker took her into a property room where he kissed her and put his hands on her over her clothing.

A warrant for Baker's arrest was issued Dec. 29 after he failed to appear in court for a preliminary hearing. He was arrested Jan. 8 in Mississippi and was transferred to the Scott County jail Jan. 20.

There is no hearing scheduled for Baker, who remains in custody on a $25,000 bond.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

131 S. Winchester St., Benton, MO