Nikki Peterson was the unit administrator at the Community Corrections Center in Lincoln.
She resigned after being accused of unauthorized communications with an inmate and sex abuse of an inmate.
Her arrest comes just four months after Sarah Torsiello’s arrest.
Torsiello was the assistant warden at the new Reception and Treatment Center, formerly known as the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center and Lincoln Correctional Center.
According to court documents, investigators say she kissed and groped an inmate who’s serving a life sentence.
The cases are not connected, but Doug Koebernick, the inspector general of corrections says it’s still concerning.
“The fact that you’ve had two people that were very high ranking, and to me, they’re about the number three person at each facility, get arrested for this is pretty surprising to me,” Koebernick said.
Since January 2021, Nebraska Department of Corrections reported 13 staffers arrested either for unauthorized communications with an inmate or smuggling drugs. Eleven of those employees were women.
“Nationally, women correctional officers are more likely to be arrested for this or be engaged in this activity just because of the female/male relationship and there’s so many more male inmates,” Koebernick said.
He said staff have training courses on boundaries for inmate relationships.
“There’s certain incarcerated individuals that they look for weaknesses. I mean, whether it’s male staff or female staff,” Koebernick said.
“That’s the key here is that the employees have to be able to set those boundaries and not develop those relationships where they get into that situation,” Koebernick said.
Koebernick issued a report looking into staff arrests back in August.
He recommended tracking all staff who were fired for improper relationships not just those arrested.
“So that we have an understanding of the extent of the problem,” Koebernick said.
He would like the Department to establish a centralized system documenting when other staff members report improper activities.
“If you see something happen. We’ve got to stop it right away,” Koebernick said.
“Suspending somebody if there is that belief that something’s going on or move them to a different facility. There’s some things that you could do,” Koebernick said.
State Sen. Suzanne Geist said it is a concern.
Geist is on the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.
She said the number of staff arrests has her attention.
“Whether you’re male, whether you’re female, whether you’re mature in age, whether you’re very young, across the board, it’s an abuse of power, and it’s inappropriate,” Geist said.
KETV Newswatch 7 reached out to Nebraska correction officials. So far the department has not responded to our questions.
Here is a list of the NDCS employees who have been arrested:
Nikki Peterson (32) – a unit administrator at the Community Corrections Center – Lincoln (CCC-L), was arrested April 13, 2022 by the Nebraska State Patrol for unauthorized communication with a committed offender (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417) and sexual abuse of an inmate (Neb. Rev. Stat. §28-322.01). Both are felony offenses.
Peterson has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since November 17, 2008. In addition to CCC-L, she has also worked at the former Diagnostic & Evaluation Center (DEC) and Central Office. Peterson resigned her position with NDCS.
Nicole Eliker (40) — a corporal at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW), was arrested Wednesday, March 30, 2022, by the Nebraska State Patrol for unauthorized communication with a committed offender (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417). The person with whom she is accused of interacting is currently on parole supervision.
Eliker has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since August 20, 2012. Her only location of employment was NCCW. Eliker resigned her position with NDCS.
Edgar Gomez (34) — a corporal arrested Feb. 18, 2022, for smuggling meth in a beverage can at the State Penitentiary. Correctional staff within the Nebraska State Penitentiary located a beverage can containing a hidden compartment on Cpl. Edgar Gomez while he was entering the facility. Correctional staff was unable to open the container right away and instructed Cpl. Gomez to report to his duty location. Correctional staff were later able open the can and observed a plastic baggie containing marijuana and plastic baggie containing suspected methamphetamine.
Sarah Torsiello (45), an assistant warden at the Reception and Treatment Center (RTC), was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol today for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417) and sexual abuse of an inmate (Neb. Rev. Stat. §28-322.01). Both are felony offenses.
Torsiello has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since August 8, 2003. She has held multiple positions at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) and the RTC (formerly the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center and the Lincoln Correctional Center). Following her arrest, Torsiello was booked into the Lancaster County jail. She resigned her position with NDCS.
“It is extremely disappointing that someone in this position now faces felony charges. These are serious offenses,” said NDCS Director Scott R. Frakes. “Inappropriate behavior involving a member of the inmate population will not be tolerated in NDCS.”
Michelle Dicini (38), a corporal at the Lincoln Correctional Center (LCC) was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol May 25, 2021, for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417) and sexual abuse of an inmate (Neb. Rev. Stat. §28-322.01). Both are felony offenses. Dicini has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since April 15, 2019. This is the only facility where she has worked. Dicini resigned her position with the agency. Dicini pled no contest to the charges. Her sentencing is pending.
Chianda Young (26), a canteen operator at the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC) was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417). Young has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since Sept. 9, 2019. This is the only facility where she has worked. Young resigned her position with the agency. Young pled no contest to a reduced class 1 misdemeanor charge.
Summer Brandt (46), a nurse at the Community Corrections Center – Lincoln (CCC-L) and the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (DEC), was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol Friday, September 3, 2021, for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417) and sexual abuse of an inmate (Neb. Rev. Stat. §28-322.01). Both are felony offenses. Her case is still pending.
Ashley Bratic (24), a corporal at the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility (NCYF) was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol June 23, 2021, for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417). Bratic has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since June 1, 2020. This is the only facility where she has worked. Bratic resigned her position with the agency. She pled no contest to a reduced charge of disturbing the peace and was fined $500.
Nicole Schwab (38), a food service specialist at the Lincoln Correctional Center (LCC) was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol May 12, 2021, for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417). Schwab has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since June 1, 2020. This is the only facility where she has worked. Schwab resigned her position with the agency. She pled no contest to a reduced class 1 misdemeanor charge.
Kerstan Slater (29), a unit caseworker at the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook, was arrested Feb. 25, 2021, by the Nebraska State Patrol for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417). Slater has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since October 15, 2018. She has only worked at WEC during that time. Slater resigned her position with the agency. She pled no contest to class 4 felony and received 12 months probation.
Sondra Herring (45), a licensed practical nurse at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP), was arrested Feb. 12, 2021, by the Nebraska State Patrol for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417). Herring has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since March 2013. She pled no contest to Class 1 misdemeanor.
Casey Bartels (28), a corporal at the Lincoln Correctional Center (LCC) was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol on Feb. 9, 2021, for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417). Bartels has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since Oct. 26, 2020. That is the only facility where she has worked. Bartels resigned her position with the agency and was booked into the Lancaster County jail. She pled to a reduced class 1 misdemeanor charge.
Xavier Palormares (24), a corporal at the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (DEC), was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol on Feb. 6, 2021, for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417) and the manufacture/distribution/delivery/dispense or possession of a controlled substance (Neb. Rev. Stat. §28-416). Both are felony offenses. Palomares has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since March 9, 2020. That is the only facility where he has worked. Palomares resigned his position with the agency and was booked into the Lancaster County jail. He pled no contest to a reduced misdemeanor charge.
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