Corrections officer faces sex charges

GRAND RAPIDS – A corrections officer faces felony charges on accusations he engaged in multiple acts of sexual misconduct with a female inmate while working at the state correctional facility in Togo.

During a court hearing this week, bail for James Allen Bongaarts, 56, of Tower has been set at $50,000 without conditions, or $25,000 with conditions. His next court appearance is Jan. 14.
Bongaarts faces two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, four counts of third-degree attempted criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
The Itasca County Attorney’s office said the alleged acts took place over the last two months.
Bongaarts is being held at the Itasca County Jail.