GALVESTON, TEXAS — Kenneth McDaniel Jr. and Kamron Kirk, former Texas Department of Criminal Justice correctional officers, were arrested on June 18, 2026. Both men were booked into the Galveston County Jail and are charged with Civil Rights Violation/Improper Sexual Activity with Person in Custody.

This charge is classified as a second-degree felony. McDaniel and Kirk were terminated from their positions following an administrative investigation by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The agency's Office of Inspector General initiated a criminal investigation after a female inmate reported a sexual assault involving two correctional officers at Hospital Galveston. The investigation identified McDaniel and Kirk as suspects.

A female inmate first reported being sexually assaulted by two correctional officers in March. A second female inmate alleged she was assaulted in January. Texas Department of Criminal Justice policy prohibits male officers from being alone with individual female inmates and bans cross-gender unclothed searches.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Executive Director Bobby Lumpkin said, "We will not tolerate people in positions of power using their authority to abuse those in their care. The agency maintains a zero-tolerance policy for officer misconduct, and we hold those responsible fully accountable under the law." Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inspector General Lance Coleman said, "We are grateful for the vital support provided by the U.S. Marshals Service in Galveston County and our local law enforcement partners in arresting these individuals and bringing them to justice." Attorney Dick Deguerin, who represents the two female inmates involved in the allegations, said, "No matter what you think someone is convicted of, they're not sentenced to be tortured and sexually abused. It's high time something was done about it."