SEDGWICK COUNTY– A former detention deputy in the Sedgwick County Jail has been sentenced to prison.
Sedgwick County District Judge Tyler Roush sentenced Dustin Burnett, 22 of Maize, to 68 months in prison. On February 10 Burnett made an Alford plea to three charges of unlawful sexual relations with two female inmates and official misconduct in the jail.
The two official misconduct charges involve Burnett catching an inmate burning a hole through a jail cell window and watching others sneak contraband items through the hole. Burnett did not stop the act or report it.
In July, while investigating a security breach at Sedgwick County Jail investigators learned Burnett, the on-duty deputy in that area of the jail, observed inmates break a window, bring contraband into the facility and didn't stop it or inform anyone it occurred. He also did not give investigators the full story about the incident when confronted about it, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.
Later, two female inmates reported inappropriate sexual contact with Burnett, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick. The alleged sexual contact occurred on July 17, 2022.
Burnett started work at the jail in January of 2022 and was terminated upon his arrest.
An Alford plea is a guilty plea in which a defendant does not admit guilt but admits the prosecution’s evidence is sufficient to result in a finding of guilt.