3 resign after prison sex allegations

By NICHOLAS LEDDEN/Daily Inter Lake

Three women employed by the Montana State Prison resigned Monday following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving inmate Michael Allen Murphy, a former Kalispell resident.

A fourth woman resigned last month and authorities continue to investigate allegations against a fifth employee, according to the Montana Department of Corrections.

The five employees, who worked either as correctional officers or in prison mental health care, were suspended with pay in mid-September during an administrative investigation into Murphy's reports of rape. Under state and federal laws, an inmate cannot consent to sexual activity.

Murphy is serving a 25-year sentence for forgery, theft and criminal endangerment.

Authorities also began an investigation into other alleged policy violations, including reports that employees brought contraband into the prison.

Although none of the employees face criminal charges, "sufficient information was obtained to warrant termination," according to Bob Anez, Montana Department of Corrections communications director.

Prison Warden Mike Mahoney said the four employees who resigned admitted they were involved in or had knowledge of the alleged misconduct.

However, two of the women vigorously denied any wrongdoing.

Killian Thomas, who was a prison mental health worker, called the allegations against her "absolutely false."

Asked about the discrepancy between his statements and Thomas' denial, Mahoney replied, "The report that I was given by our investigator says different."

"She didn't say it directly to me, but the report says "an admission of multiple occasions,- Mahoney said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Shannon Davies, who resigned in October, said she left the prison because she didn't want to return to a hostile work environment.

The allegations against her were "proven to be not true" when the Powell County Attorney's Office declined to file criminal charges, she said.

Powell County Attorney Lewis Smith has said there is insufficient evidence to support charges.

Smith, who based his decision not to charge the prison employees on incident reports written by prison officials, said he would reconsider filing charges if additional evidence came to light.

According to Mahoney, Thomas admitted she had inappropriate sexual contact with Murphy.

Davies admitted having a "romantic relationship," although non-sexual, with Murphy and she failed to report that Murphy asked her to smuggle a cell phone into prison for him, Mahoney said.

The third employee, correctional officer Lisa Mantz, admitted kissing Murphy and sending him inappropriate correspondence. The fourth employee, Tracy Boucher, failed to report the inappropriate activities and impeded the investigation, Mahoney said.

Thomas defended Mantz and Boucher, calling them the innocent victims of a vendetta by prison administrators.

In letters to the Daily Inter Lake, Murphy alleged that Thomas had sex with him more than 30 times, sometimes asking him to sneak into her office.

"I was lied to, used, and took advantage of in more ways than just sexually," Murphy wrote.

Murphy also claims that on several occasions he had sex or sexual contact with Davies and Mantz. He accuses them of stalking him.

"I felt trapped," Murphy wrote. "I'm an inmate. I have no control over anything. I did not want to get into trouble. I was scared."

Women corrections officers have regular contact with male inmates in the course of their duties, Anez said.

The fifth employee, correctional officer Alex Sexton, is still under suspension and is being investigated for alleged police violations, Mahoney said.

It is standard procedure for the Department of Corrections to place employees on paid leave when allegations of sexual misconduct surface, said Anez, who called these kinds of allegations rare and couldn't recall the last time similar accusations had been made.

Murphy, 35, was sentenced in June 2006 to 25 years in prison following convictions in Flathead County District Court for forgery, theft and two counts of criminal endangerment.

He most recently was arrested after leading law-enforcement officers on a pair of high-speed chases in February 2006. The pursuits, which occurred on consecutive days and reached speeds of more than 100 mph, occurred in the Kalispell and Foy's Lake areas.

Murphy has an extensive criminal record, including prior convictions in Gallatin County for felony theft and in Lincoln County for burglary, felony theft and bail jumping.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com