A Bucks County Department of Corrections officer has left his job and been charged after investigators say he allegedly had a sexual relationship with an inmate.
Advertisements
Joseph Michael Mahaffey, 50, of Upper Moreland, Montgomery County, was preliminarily arraigned Monday afternoon before District Judge Mark Douple on a charge of institutional sexual assault. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.
On February 15, the chief investigator for the corrections department was advised of a potential issue. Authorities said a man told them he believed his wife has been having a consensual sexual relationship with a corrections officer while she was incarcerated and on a work-release program.
The female inmate’s husband discovered “extremely sexual” text message conversations on her phone from between December 15, 2021 to December 18, 2021 on his wife’s phone and with a phone number unknown to him. The woman had her cell phone on her while she was on work release in county custody at a Doylestown Borough bar and restaurant, authorities said.
Advertisements
The husband looked into the number and tied it to Mahaffey using an online search. He found Mahaffey’s Linkedin account and realized he worked for the corrections department, authorities said.
Investigators reported they reviewed the text messages and confirmed the number was connected to Mahaffey.
Advertisements
The inmate, who was released this year, met with a prison investigator and confirmed she had a sexual relationship with Mahaffey, authorities said.
The woman said she knew Mahaffey because he would be working the reception area at the correctional facility when she returned from work release at night. He had offered to help her find work once she was out of custody and they exchanged cell phone numbers, according to authorities.
The woman alleged performing a sex act twice on Mahaffey.
Advertisements
One incident happened while she was in custody and she met Mahaffey at a 7-Eleven before he started work and she was on her way from work release to the correctional facility. The second was when she returned to the county facility after her release as she went to pick up a check held by correctional officials, and she met Mahaffey in a nearby parking lot, authorities said.
The corrections department investigator confirmed a key detail related to the second incident as they looked into the claims, authorities said.
Advertisements
A warrant was issued for Mahaffey late last week following an investigation by Bucks County Detectives and he turned himself over to authorities on Monday.
During Monday’s preliminary araignment, it was stated Mahaffey is a husband, father of three, and U.S. Navy veteran.
Advertisements
Mahaffey was hired by the county in June 2016 and resigned effective March 18, according to county spokesperson James O’Malley.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
Advertisements
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
