Jailer resigns in midst of probe

When the internal investigation is completed, it will be given to the county prosecutor, the sheriff said.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 28-year-old Trumbull County jailer accused of sex offenses by three female inmates resigned Monday, moments before he was to take a polygraph test.
Sheriff Thomas Altiere said John Clutter of Warren, who worked for the jail for about two years, hand-delivered a one-line letter of resignation.
Clutter was scheduled to take a polygraph test Monday morning.
"Mr. Clutter has denied the allegations, so that is why we had scheduled the polygraph," Altiere said, adding Clutter was placed on a paid administrative leave Friday.
Accuser
The sheriff said a 21-year-old Akron woman, who was in the county jail on a theft charge, told an assistant warden Wednesday the jailer committed a sex act with her in December.
The assistant warden immediately told supervisors, said Altiere, who assigned detectives to investigate.
The Akron woman was released Friday after serving her time, Altiere said.
Detectives noted that shortly after hearing the first allegation, a second inmate made a similar complaint. Over the weekend, a third female inmate came forward.
Officials said the Akron woman reported having sexual contact with the jailer while the other two said he would expose himself to them and ask them to do the same.
Candy bars were given to the women in exchange, the inmates told detectives.
The jailer would take the inmates to a closet area, where there are no security cameras, officials said.
"When we are finished invesitgating we will give our report to the county prosecutor for review," Altiere said. He said that if the prosecutor thinks the investigation shows a criminal act took place, the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation will be summoned.
Number of jailers
The sheriff noted there are normally two jailers assigned to each section of the jail, but one jailer may be alone during breaks.
"We are following state standards right now, but we will review to find out if we should make any changes in how many jailers should be on duty at all times," the sheriff said. "We have not had any problems like this before. I'm very upset by these allegations."
Altiere and John Spelich, a 10-year county jailer, said Clutter had no previous problems.
sinkovich@vindy.com