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  Former Chaplain Charged for Sexual Assault at Strafford County Jail

By Thomas R. Kressler
Foster's Daily Democrat
June 29, 2007

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070629/FOSTERS06/106290400

Dover — A 70-year-old former chaplain at Strafford County jail has been accused of sexually assaulting a female inmate during counseling sessions over a nine-month period beginning last August, a month after he was hired.

Ralph C. Flodin, of 1 Riverside Drive in Alton, has been indicted on nine Class A felony counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, each alleging he fondled the 24-year-old inmate in ways that were not "professionally recognized as ethical or acceptable." Indictments were returned following a Strafford County grand jury session last week.

The matter was investigated by the Strafford County Sheriff's Office in May after the victim refused to participate in a Department of Corrections group counseling session, said Capt. Joseph DiGregorio. When asked why she would not participate, the alleged victim disclosed Flodin's alleged conduct to jail officials.

An investigation was launched, and DiGregorio said within days the Sheriff's Office had assembled enough evidence to bring the case before a grand jury.

"It's an unfortunate circumstance," DiGregorio said. "We're sorry when things like this take place in the county, but once we were notified of it we acted swiftly."

Assistant County Attorney Eric Gentes, who is prosecuting the case, said the alleged acts are all identical but occurred at different times. He said there is no evidence indicating any other victims were involved.

"These (acts) took place in a small room that the defendant used in the course of his counseling duties," Gentes said.

After having volunteered at Strafford County jail and at the New Hampshire State Prison for more than 20 years, Flodin was hired as the chaplain in Strafford County on July 9, 2006.

Prosecutors allege he began assaulting the victim in August and continued doing so through April. Each count of aggravated felonious sexual assault corresponds with the month during which the activity took place, and each one carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

When reached at his home Thursday, Flodin said he did not want to talk about the case at this time. He said not talking about it would be fairest to everyone involved.

County Administrator Ray Bower, who has known Flodin for 20 years, said the allegations were astounding when he first heard of them. Flodin was fired on May 13, the day the county was notified of the investigation.

"It was totally unbelievable to us," Bower said.

Last year was the first in which funds were appropriated for a jail chaplain. As chaplain, Flodin was responsible for coordinating religious services of all denominations inside the jail and doing some counseling. Flodin was hired after a spiritual board made up of county religious leaders recommended him and a few others for the post, Bower said.

Bower said the county is in the process of hiring a new chaplain. He said the county will be cautious when hiring Flodin's replacement, but added they thought Flodin was a cautious choice since county officials knew him so well already. He had volunteered at the jail for more than two decades without any problems.

"We will never find somebody we knew so well," Bower said. "There's not much else you can do."

Flodin is scheduled for arraignment in Strafford County Superior Court on July 9 at 2 p.m.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt; rather it means a grand jury has found sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.

Contact: tkressler@fosters.com

 
 

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