Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility counselor arrested

MT. PLEASANT — A counselor at Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility faces up to 25 years in prison after authorities say she engaged in a sexual relationship with an inmate and conspired to smuggle contraband into the prison.

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Kimberly Joe Kerr, 46, of Mt. Pleasant, was arrested on Feb. 25 by Mt. Pleasant Police and charged with ongoing criminal conduct-unlawful activity, possession of contraband in a correctional institution, and sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist, according to court documents.

Authorities allege that between July and October 2024, Kerr engaged in a sexual relationship with an inmate at the minimum-security prison, where she was employed as a counselor.

“The defendant and inmate had sexual relationships inside the prison in counselor rooms,” Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray wrote in the criminal complaint.

The complaint states that the inmate disclosed details of his sexual encounters with Kerr to other people and provided specific and graphic descriptions.

Kerr denied any physical relationship with the inmate but admitted to a romantic involvement, according to the complaint.

“There are love letters saved from the defendant to the inmate,” Murray states in court documents.

Kerr is also accused of smuggling contraband into the prison for an inmate, including, but not limited to tobacco. The complaint states that Kerr and an inmate coordinated payments using Cash App, a mobile payment service.

“The defendant also set up a Cash App account through another individual and received proceeds from the transactions,” the complaint states. “Inmates would use the app to pay for the contraband, and the defendant and inmate would make sure it was paid prior to providing contraband to the other inmates.”

Kerr admitted to setting up the Cash App account and told investigators she still had some of the money from the transactions.

Police allege that more than $5,600 was transferred through the Cash App account over a period of several months, with documented sales of contraband inside the prison.

Investigators recovered contraband within the facility, and witnesses stated it originated from the inmate who had received it from Kerr.

A warrant for Kerr’s arrest was issued on Feb. 25. She was taken into custody the same day but was released after posting $35,000 bond.

Under Iowa law, a Class B felony, such as ongoing criminal conduct, carries a sentence of up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. The two Class D felonies — possession of contraband and sexual exploitation — each carry penalties of up to five years in prison.

Kerr’s next court date had not been scheduled as of Monday.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com