MOBILE, Ala. (CN) - Two women say a sheriff's deputy sexually molested them while driving them from jail to get medical services. One claims the deputy offered her cigarettes if she would let him "play" with her during the trip.
In separate federal complaints, the women say Escambia County Sheriff's Deputy Richard Hawthorne sexually fondled them while driving them from the Escambia County Jail.
Both say Hawthorne told them to take off their pants and underwear, and then fondled them until they reached their destination.
One woman says Hawthorne rewarded her with cigarettes, and when another jail guard found them in her cell, she told him how she got them. The other woman says she reported the molestation to a counselor.
Both women sued Escambia County, and Sheriff Grover W. Smith as well as Hawthorne.
Both are represented by Larry C. Moorer of Mobile.
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