Federal Correctional Officer Charged With Sexual Abuse of Detainee

A federal grand jury yesterday indicted Richard Seaman, age 46, a Correctional Officer at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, on five counts of sexual abuse of a ward. Seaman was arrested by federal agents early this morning based on the indictment.

Florence T. Nakakuni, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, said that according to indictment, on five occasions between September 23, 2011, and December 8, 2011, Seaman engaged in illegal sexual acts with a detainee at FDC while the detainee was under his custodial authority.

If convicted, Seaman faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The criminal case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Song.