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Walworth County denies inmate's sex assault claim

ELKHORN — Walworth County and the sheriff deny a former inmate's claims that he was sexually assaulted by a correctional officer during body searches.

The county and Sheriff David Graves are being sued in federal court by Jonathan S. Reeves, 27, Grayslake, Ill., who has accused former correctional officer David W. Bickford, 51, a former Elkhorn resident, of sexually assaulting him twice in 2002. Bickford also is named in the lawsuit.

Reeves claims Walworth County and jail officials were aware of Bickford's sexual assaults against inmates dating to 1991, but they allowed the assaults to continue, according to the lawsuit.

Other inmates complained about Bickford's misconduct from 1997 through 2002, according to the lawsuit.

The county and sheriff claim any offensive behavior by Bickford was unknown to them, according to court records.

They added that Bickford's alleged behavior was against county policy and outside the scope of his employment, according to court records.

A criminal investigation started after Bickford was accused of sexual assault, and Bickford was fired when charges were filed against him, Graves said recently.

Bickford subsequently was convicted in February 2004 of three criminal charges of misdemeanor fourth-degree sexual assault stemming from his work in the jail, according to court records.

Bickford was sentenced to 90 days in jail, according to court records.

The lawsuit alleges a violation of civil rights and asks for money for physical and emotional injuries.

Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Company will defend the lawsuit for the county.

Reeves pleaded guilty in February 2001 to felony second-degree sexual assault of a child, according to court records.

He also was found guilty in April 2001 of felony bail jumping and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records.