VIDALIA — Deputies arrested a correctional officer and former assistant Vidalia police chief Thursday on charges of sexual misconduct and malfeasance in office for alleged improper sexual contact with an inmate.

Deputies charged Bruce L. Wiley, 48, 1103 Peach St., a security officer at the Concordia Parish Correctional Facility who formerly served as assistant chief of police for Ferriday and Vidalia, with malfeasance in office and three counts of sexual misconduct prohibited with persons in the custody of the department of corrections.

Warden Lance Moore said the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct began last week, and that the investigation is ongoing.

“We do not condone this type of action from any of our employees,” Moore said. “Cases like this are immediately investigated for the safety of all those involved.”

Moore said federal law mandates that anytime an allegation of sexual misconduct is made, the correctional facility must investigate the claims immediately.

“Federal statutes say we have to have coordinators specifically for that type of investigation,” Moore said. “PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) mandates all of this.”

Because the investigation is ongoing, Moore said he could release few details about the arrest or the nature of the malfeasance in office.

Wiley posted a $36,000 bond and was released fewer than three hours after his arrest.