A man who worked at a Maricopa County prison has taken his own life after being accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with an inmate, officials said.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, authorities have opened an investigation into an employee working for Correctional Health Services and Mental Health for “improper sexual conduct toward at least one inmate.”
Correctional Health Services provides medical, dental, and mental health services to individuals incarcerated within the Maricopa County Jail.
The suspect was identified as Dan Gordon, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release on Saturday. Gordon was immediately put on leave while detectives conducted a criminal investigation.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Gordon’s home, the sheriff’s office said. Before entering the house, detectives learned that the suspect had died from his own gunshot wounds.
Gordon will begin employment with the Maricopa County Health Service in 2021.
In Arizona, call the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence at 602-279-2900 or 1-800-782-6400 or visit their website. acesdv.org/helpline. The Phoenix Police website states, www.phoenix.gov/domesticviolencehas a list of places people can contact in Maricopa County.
Suicide and Crisis Hotline for Arizona Residents
Services for Arizonas in crisis include:
- Access the free 2-1-1 Arizona Information and Referral Service anytime by dialing 2-1-1, which leads to free resources available statewide.
- Solari Crisis & Human Services offers a toll-free statewide crisis response line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (dial 844-534-HOPE (4673)). Help is available 24/7 by texting ‘hope’ to 4HOPE (4673).
- To contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, dial 988. Help is available in English and Spanish. It is provided free and confidential for people in distress who need prevention and crisis resources for themselves and their loved ones.
- The La Frontera Impact Suicide Prevention Center Crisis Response Line serves Maricopa and Pinal Counties 24/7 at 480-784-1500.
- Teen Lifeline’s 24/7 crisis response line serves teens at 602-248-8336 in Maricopa County and 1-800-248-8336 statewide.
- The Trevor Project Lifeline serves LGBTQ youth by calling 866-488-7386 or texting START at 678-678.
