LIVE OAK, Fla. (WTXL) - A Live Oak correctional officer is facing charges after lying to law enforcement while she was being investigated for sexual misconduct with multiple inmates.
Crystal Royal turned herself into the Suwannee County Jail on Thursday.
On March 23, Royal became the subject of an investigation concerning sexual misconduct with inmates. On Tuesday, Royal was interviewed by the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office concerning her involvement in a sexual relationship with two inmates.
She told deputies she recognized one inmate from him working in Food Service, but when asked if she ever went into the staff bathroom with the inmate, she responded "No sir."
Royal denied ever going into the staff bathroom alone with the inmates.
She went on to tell deputies that nothing happened between her and the inmates in the staff bathroom, contradicting her previous statement where she denied even going into the staff bathroom.
Royal continued to deny having any type of relationship with the inmates throughout her interview with deputies.
But when SCSO reviewed surveillance video inside the prison, Royal could be seen entering the staff bathroom on March 2 and March 3 with the inmates multiple times.
At it's conclusion, the investigation was unable to determine if Royal and one of the inmates had an inappropriate relationship. Court documents do not indicate if SCSO is still investigating whether Royal had an inappropriate relationship with a second inmate.
Based on the video evidence, Royal was charged with perjury. She has since bonded out.
