PORT ANGELES – Formal charges have now been filed against a former Clallam County Corrections Officer accused of sexual misconduct involving 9 female inmates.

54-year-old Howard Blair faces one count of felony first-degree custodial sexual misconduct and three misdemeanor sexual misconduct charges for his relations involving four women at the county jail.

The investigation began in September of last year, after an inmate reported that she had been touched inappropriately by Blair while on duty. Any such contact between a corrections deputy and an inmate is against the law, regardless of whether it is wanted or not.

Within two days, Sheriff’s Investigators found sufficient evidence to place Blair on administrative leave. Over the course of the fall, seven more female inmates came forward with similar stories.

By December of 2017, as a meeting approached to determine discipline based on the statements of those eight women, Blair resigned.

Shortly after his resignation, a ninth inmate reported to a counselor that she had sexual contact with Blair several times over a six month period.

A number of the cases stretch beyond the statute of limitations, and were not included in the charging decision.

The Grays Harbor County prosecutor is handling the case that will be heard in Clallam County.