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PROVO — A deputy who worked at the Utah County Jail now faces a criminal charge accusing her of engaging in a relationship with a former inmate who was still under the state's supervision.
In October, Megan Chantel Guaracha, 30, of Vineyard, was a deputy at the jail when a man was arrested and booked into the jail. Charging documents do not identify the inmate.
During the man's stay in jail, Guaracha "worked with/supervised (the) victim," according to charging documents. After the inmate — who had been on probation from Adult Probation and Parole since December 2020 — was released from the jail to a "sober living house," Guaracha contacted him on social media and a "relationship" formed, the charges state.
"Guaracha was seen on video surveillance at the sober living house wearing her sheriff's jacket, visiting with, cuddling and kissing victim," according to the charges.
After being released from the treatment center, the man moved in with Guaracha. In December, he was arrested for investigation of domestic violence and rebooked into the Utah County Jail.
Guaracha was charged Tuesday in 4th District Court with custodial sexual relations, a third-degree felony. A spokesman with the Utah County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that Guaracha no longer works for the sheriff's office. She was employed at the jail for under six months and was fired during her probationary status.
Under Utah law, an officer can be charged with committing a custodial sexual relation offense if the person the officer is having a relationship with is in the custody or supervision of the Utah Department of Corrections, such as a parolee, probationer or someone on a work release program.
