Waukesha Correctional Officer Charged With Sexual Assault

WAUKESHA,WI—A Waukesha County correctional officer is accused of sexual assault of an inmate while on duty. Matthew Herman, 49, 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. Herman's cash bond was set at $30,000 and his next court date is Thursday.

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.

Officials with the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department released the following statement on social media:

"The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of inappropriate actions, possibly criminal, that took place within the Waukesha County Jail by former Correctional Officer Matthew Herman. A full and comprehensive investigation completed by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office yielded former Correctional Officer Herman had sexual relations with a Waukesha County inmate while on duty. Herman also made sexual advances towards another Waukesha County inmate.

At the completion of the investigation, Herman was terminated by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office and charged with three counts of 2nd-degree sexual assault by a Correctional Officer and one count of Misconduct in Office. Herman was transported to a secure facility outside of Waukesha County. Herman was hired in February 2020 and assigned to the Waukesha County Jail."