Former Waukesha Correctional Officer Sentenced To 2 1/2 Years

WAUKESHA, WI—A former Waukesha County correctional officer convicted of sexual assault of an inmate while on duty was sentenced on Thursday.

Matthew Herman, 50, was sentenced to to two-and-a-half years in prison and another two-and-a-half years of extended supervision, according to online court records.

Herman was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with three counts of second-degree sexual assault by correctional staff and one count of misconduct in office, according to online court records.

He pleaded no contest in July to one count of second-degree sexual assault by correctional staff – and one count of misconduct in office. The two additional counts of second-degree sexual assault by correctional staff were read in, court records said.

An inmate said in July or August 2020, Herman showed her an inappropriate picture of himself and touched her inappropriately, according to the criminal complaint.

Another inmate told police that Herman made inappropriate comments toward her, the complaint said. The inmate said she was caught cutting another inmate's hair and Herman said both inmates should be written up, as cutting hair wasn't allowed, the complaint said. Herman told her she "owned him favors," the complaint said.

Herman later asked her to show him parts of her body which she said no and walked away, the complaint said. Herman met with investigators and eventually admitted to showing an inmate an inappropriate photo, the complaint said.

In the complaint he said he behaved this way, "out of stupidity and because he was not thinking," the complaint said.