Prison officer sentenced for sexually assaulting inmates

JUNEAU – A former correctional officer who is HIV-positive was sentenced Friday to 35 years in prison for sexually assaulting several inmates at the state prison in Fox Lake.

Alex Wouts, 34, of Poy Sippi, was found guilty May 17 of five counts of second-degree sexual assault by correctional staff.

Wouts used his position of authority to coerce several inmates into unwilling sex acts, authorities said.

Dodge County Assistant District Attorney James Sempf said it was one of the worst cases he had seen in his years of public service.

Sempf says that Wouts has known about his HIV status since July 2010.