WINTON – A prison guard found himself on the other side of the bars here last week.

Eric Lashawn Askew, 28 of Ahoskie, a Sergeant with Rivers Correctional Institute of Winton, was arrested by the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office on sexual assault charges.

Sheriff Juan Vaughan said Askew, who turned himself in on March 9, was charged with attempted second degree rape, a felony, sexual battery and assault on a female, both misdemeanors.

Vaughan said the alleged crimes took place against a female correctional officer at the private prison.

Askew was placed under a $25,000 secured bond and was released on the same day of his arrest. He made his first court appearance on Friday.

Sheriff Vaughan said officials at Rivers Correctional called his office to investigate the incident. HCSO Investigator John Joyner handled that task.