A former Franklin County deputy has been charged with sexual assault and misconduct in connection with an incident last year at the jail.
Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones says deputies, working with the Illinois State Police, arrested Christopher N. Hampton, 37, of Mulkeytown at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5 at Hampton's residence on a warrant charging one count of criminal sexual assault and a second count of custodial sexual misconduct.
The arrest stems from an incident that is alleged to have occurred Jan. 16, 2016, when Hampton was employed as a Franklin County deputy. The victim is alleged to have been an adult female who had been arrested on an unrelated matter.
Jones says he was made aware of the allegation later that same day and initiated a preliminary investigation that resulted in Hampton being placed on administrative leave and immediately losing the privilege of representing himself as a Franklin County deputy. Hampton resigned his position after the initiation of the investigation.
Two days after the reported incident, Jones requested the Illinois State Police conduct the criminal investigation. State's Attorney Evan Owens referred the case to the State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor's Office. Special prosecutor Lorinda Lamken is handling the prosecution. Hampton is being held in the Franklin County Jail on $150,000 bond.
