Former corrections officer facing charge

A former corrections officer at ERDCC in Bonne Terre is charged after authorities say she had a sexual relationship with an inmate. 

Shawna Barton, 37, is charged with the Class D felony of sexual contact with a prisoner by a Corrections employee. She has posted a $10,000 bond. Her arraignment is scheduled for July 17. 

According to the probable cause statement, the incidents took place between September of 2013 and January of 2014 in the employee break room at ERDCC. The investigation began this spring. 

The inmate, who was caught with a cell phone, initially denied having a relationship with Barton. He said they had started talking by phone in July of 2013. 

The inmate is incarcerated for second-degree murder, assault, discharging a firearm from a vehicle and armed criminal action out of Kansas City, as well as two counts of committing violence against a Corrections employee at ERDCC. 

According to the Department of Corrections, Barton is no longer employed with the department. Her last day with the department was March 28.

Shawna Barton