Ex-officer admits she had sex with teens at detention hall

A former King County juvenile corrections officer pleaded guilty today to two counts of custodial sexual misconduct for having sex with two teenage boys at the detention hall.

Lydia Korolak, 34, admitted to having sexual relationships with the two teens — who were then 17 years old — and favoring them with food, candy and other perks while they were under her supervision between 2001 and 2003, prosecutors alleged in charging documents.

Korolak, who is no longer a detention guard, was originally charged with four counts of first-degree custodial sexual misconduct and was scheduled to go on trial later this month.

Prosecutors said they will recommend a 17-month prison term at her sentencing June 20.

According to charging papers filed last year, Korolak initiated the relationship with one of the teens by talking to him about sex and allowing him to touch her through her clothing. Eventually she began slipping into his cell at night to have sex, court documents said.

The other teen told investigators he had sex with Korolak while in custody because she threatened to write him up for infractions if he didn't, charging papers say.

The charges were filed after a nearly four-month investigation by Seattle police and the King County Prosecutor's Office into allegations involving sex between corrections officers and inmates at the county's Juvenile Detention Center and jail.

Last month, King County Jail guard Harland Richmond was found guilty of having sexual relations with a female inmate. Former guard Cedric Darnell McGrew was sentenced to six months behind bars after he pleaded guilty in November to custodial sexual misconduct and assault. And former guard Louis G. Laurencio was sentenced to four months in jail in December for inappropriately touching a female inmate and photographing her breast.

Under state law, sex between inmates and corrections officers is illegal because officers are in a position of control and authority.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com