Female Prison Warden Charged with Raping Inmate in Men's Jail

Johnesha Rucker, a 28-year-old former corrections deputy, has been charged with raping an inmate at a men's jail in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Rucker was arrested at her home on Monday by a Tennessee fugitive apprehension team following an investigation into allegations first reported in February. Authorities received a tip-off on February 9 regarding the alleged sexual assault that occurred at the facility located at 201 Poplar. Prior to her indictment, Rucker resigned from her position, which she had held since November 2023. She faces serious charges including rape, misconduct, and forgery, carrying a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison if convicted. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. emphasized that his office maintains zero tolerance for employee misconduct and is committed to holding staff accountable to high ethical standards to preserve public trust. Rucker is currently being held in the city’s female prison under a $100,000 bond. This case highlights significant concerns regarding security and ethical conduct within correctional facilities.