Former Detention Officer Charged With Having Sex With Inmate In Jail Closet, Recreation Yard

Toledo, IA – A former Tama County detention officer is facing multiple charges of sexual misconduct after she allegedly had several sexual encounters with an inmate while she was working at the jail facility.

Kayla Mae Bergom, 27, is slated to go to trial on Aug. 12 for three misdemeanor counts of sexual misconduct with an offender, The Gazette reported.

According to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the Belle Plaine resident was working for the Tama County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) as a detention officer when she allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a 29-year-old male inmate for several months during two separate periods of time.

Bergom also allegedly participated in sexual acts with the inmate in a jailhouse utility closet in October of 2020, and in the facility’s recreation yard in September of 2020 and April of 2021, investigators said.

The investigation into Bergom was launched after another Tama County employee alerted officials about the alleged sexual misconduct, KCRG reported.

The DCI wrapped up its investigation in March, and Bergom was arrested on an outstanding warrant for three counts of sexual misconduct with a city jail official on April 20, according to the Tama-Toledo News Chronicle.

She was released from custody onto pre-trial release the same day.

Tama County Sheriff Dennis Kucera said Bergom resigned from the sheriff’s department immediately, The Gazette reported.

She had been employed by TSCO for three years when she was arrested.

Sheriff Kucera refused to comment on the situation, KCRG reported in March.

“It would be a conflict for me to investigate and interfere with DCI investigation within the Sheriff’s Office,” he said at the time.

The now-former detention officer pleaded not guilty to the three misdemeanor counts in May, The Gazette reported.

She faces up to six years in prison if she is convicted.

HOT OR NOT? A former jail employee in Iowa, 27-year-old Kayla Mae Bergom, was arrested & charged with multiple crimes for allegedly having a sexual relationship with an inmate. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 6 years in a state prison. #themikecaltashow pic.twitter.com/JJvZKJkgLL

— • GALVIN the RELENTLESS• (@GalvinSeriously) August 2, 2022

Bergrom’s trial is scheduled to start on Friday.