Waynesburg prison employee charged with having sexual relations with inmate
A Waynesburg woman employed at SCI-Fayette was charged Thursday with having sexual relations with an inmate.
Natalie J. Ketchem, 38, of 1065 Tenth St., Waynesburg, was arraigned before District Judge Wendy Dennis of Uniontown late Thursday on three counts of institutional sexual assault.
Ketchem is a daughter of Richard Ketchem, who served as Greene County sheriff for 23 years. He retired for health reasons in 2013 at the end of his sixth term.
State police said Natalie Ketchem had sexual relations with the inmate beginning in June and continuing until Oct. 15.
Prison staff observed and had video recordings of the defendant having inappropriate contact with the inmate, identified only as “J.W.,” according to the criminal complaint. The two met in a dry storage area about 20 times, police said.
When questioned by prison staff and police, Ketchem admitted having a relationship with the inmate that “began as a friendship and progressed to kissing and touching,” police said.
Ketchem was released on $25,000 unsecured bond. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 28 before Dennis.