Federal Detention Center Guard Charged in Alleged Tryst, Escape Plan With Inmate
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A prison guard working at the Federal Detention Center in center city Philadelphia has pleaded not guilty to charges of having sex with an inmate and helping her plot an escape -- an escape that never took place.
The grand jury alleges that 47-year-old Lamont Lucas, a tool room supervisor at the federal prison at 7th and Arch Streets, had sex with a female prisoner assigned there as a clerk.
Investigators say he gave her studded sterling silver earrings and also aided in a planned escape.
"During the time period between May 14th, 2012, and May 16th, 2012, Mr. Lucas knowingly instigated, aided, or assisted this inmate in an attempted escape that was to happen around that time," says federal prosecutor Nicole Phillips.
But there was no escape. Authorities say the inmate was in prison for aggravated identity theft.
