Ex-inmate’s suit says she saw sex act

Sex is a privilege denied to inmates at the Kootenai County Jail.

But a former inmate said she has seen it happen – and can’t forget it.

Valerie Colbert said she can’t shake the vision of another female inmate engaged in a sexual act with a male inmate as they traveled between the courthouse and jail in a county van early this year.

The 48-year-old, serving time for trying to hire a hit man to kill another woman, filed a tort claim against the county Aug. 31, saying she was subjected “to an extremely disgusting, degrading and disturbing scenario, which still haunts me in many ways.”

A source familiar with the incident said a female inmate performed oral sex on a male inmate and that the act was consensual.

“As a pre-trial detainee, I had to witness the vile act of two inmates having sex in a county vehicle,” Colbert wrote in the claim. “At no time did the deputy, who was present the entire time, check our welfare.”

She alleges that the deputy driving the transport van was “inattentive, negligent and irresponsible.”

Colbert added that there was “ample lighting” and “no obstructions.” She alleges that she has suffered mental, emotional and psychological damages as a result of the incident.

County officials would not comment on the specifics of the claim, but county attorney Erika Grubbs said the county’s investigation so far indicates the county “will suffer no exposure as a result of this incident.”

The county has 90 days to respond to the claim. If the county denies the claim or doesn’t respond, Colbert can take the matter to court.

The county’s jail commander could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Colbert is currently incarcerated in Pocatello serving a four-year sentence for a February conviction of felony solicitation to commit aggravated battery. She was originally charged with solicitation to commit murder, but prosecutors agreed to the lesser charge in exchange for a guilty plea and restitution for the cost of the investigation.