A former federal probation officer pleaded guilty on Thursday to violating the civil rights of women under his supervision by abusing them sexually and faces up to 10 years in prison, the Department of Justice has announced.
Mark John Walker, 52, of Eugene, Ore., admitted taking advantage of female offenders, including some who were highly vulnerable because of prior sexual abuse, mental illness and drug addiction, while he was a probation officer from 2006 to 2009, a DOJ statement said. He is to be sentenced on July 18.
“Law enforcement officials violate the public trust when they abuse the rights of individuals under their supervision,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute those who abuse their power in this way.”
Dwight Holton, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, said “our criminal justice system is enhanced every day” by the service of most dedicated, loyal probation officers. “Walker betrayed his fellow officers and abused his power by sexually abusing the vulnerable people he had sworn to help,” Holton said. “These victims have been heard.”
