Former Oregon prison nurse convicted of sexually assaulting female inmates

WILSONVILLE, Ore. (TCD) -- A former corrections nurse faces a maximum sentence of life in prison after a federal jury convicted him this week of sexually assaulting nine female inmates.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, on Tuesday, July 25, Tony Klein was found guilty of 17 counts of depriving his victims of their constitutional right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment by sexual assault and four counts of perjury. Klein was indicted in March 2022.

Klein reportedly worked as a nurse for the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility from 2010 until January 2018, where he helped female inmates in need of medical treatment and assisted staff in the medical unit. The Attorney’s Office said Klein used his "access to the women and his position of power" to sexually assault or engage in nonconsensual sexual acts with the inmates under his care.

According to the Attorney’s Office, Klein often assaulted his victims while they were alone and would do so before, during, or after medical treatment.

Klein reportedly came up with reasons to get his victim alone and confine them to areas such as hospital rooms, janitorial closets, or behind curtains. The Attorney’s Office said Klein "made it clear to his victims that he was in a position of power over them," and if they came forward, people would not believe them. According to the Attorney’s Office, most of Klein’s victims "submitted to his unwanted advances or endured his assaults."

Klein’s victims struggled with trauma following their release, and at least one woman reportedly killed herself, according to the Salem Statesman Journal.

Prison staff at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility allegedly ignored the assaults and disciplined victims who came forward.

Klein reportedly resigned in January 2018.

Prior to Klein’s charges and conviction, a civil lawsuit was filed on behalf of the victims, suing Klein and the Oregon Department of Corrections. The state paid a settlement of $1.87 million in the case.

After Klein’s conviction, the U.S. Marshals Service took him into custody, where he’ll remain until his sentencing on Oct. 17.

Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office, said in a statement, "As a state prison nurse, Mr. Klein used his position to intimidate and sexually assault multiple women. His heinous actions were only brought to light by a small group of courageous women who came forward, even despite their precarious circumstances of being incarcerated. Their willingness to report their victimization undoubtedly saved others from Mr. Klein’s predatory actions."

MORE:

• Former Oregon Corrections Nurse Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Nine Female Inmates — U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon
• Former Oregon Corrections Official Indicted for Sexually Assaulting a Dozen Female Inmates While Serving as a Nurse, 3/14/2022 — U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon
• Former Oregon prison nurse Tony Klein convicted of sexually assaulting 9 inmates — Salem Statesman Journal