Snohomish County Jail guard accused of trading cookies for sex with inmate

Published: March 6, 2013

By MICHAEL HARTHORNE — THE HERALD (EVERETT)

EVERETT, Wash. — A corrections deputy formerly working at the Snohomish County Jail is charged with trading homemade chocolate chip cookies for sex with an inmate.

According to charging documents, Abner Canda, who was placed on paid administrative leave in January, provided food to a 22-year-old female inmate in exchange for sexual favors on a number of occasions between November 2012 and January 2013.

According to documents, video surveillance appears to corroborate the inmate’s story. And, at least two other inmates have suggested they had sexual contact with Canda as well, including one who claims she was dating him while incarcerated in the jail, according to documents.

The 22-year-old inmate brought the allegations against Canda in January, telling police she felt guilty for what she had done.

“I’m sorry,” she told police. “I’m trying to change and be a better person now. I’m ashamed for my actions. That’s why I’m saying something.”

The Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed first-degree custodial sexual misconduct charges against Canda on March 5 after an investigation from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit.

Now that charges have been filed, a the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Accountability will begin an internal investigation.
Canda has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2007.