Powerful Warning from Sheriff After Jail Worker Arrested in Inmate Relationship Staff Reports March 5, 2026 9:23 am Crime, Walton County In Brief: A Walton County Jail kitchen employee was arrested after an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with an inmate. Authorities say the employee engaged in unlawful physical contact inside a secured area and attempted to evade monitoring. She was terminated from her position and charged with a felony after turning herself in on March 4. A Walton County Sheriff’s Office jail employee has been arrested after authorities say she engaged in sexual conduct with an inmate inside the Walton County Jail, according to a post on the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. Investigators say they received information on February 18 about an inappropriate relationship between Kelly Jo Johnson, 56, of Bonifay, and an inmate assigned to kitchen duty at the jail. Johnson was employed as a kitchen worker at the facility. The allegation sparked both an internal administrative review and a criminal investigation. Authorities say investigators conducted interviews, reviewed recorded jail phone calls, examined surveillance footage, and collected additional evidence as part of the inquiry. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation established probable cause to believe Johnson engaged in unlawful physical contact with the inmate inside a secured area of the jail. Investigators also allege she communicated with the inmate outside the scope of her duties using methods intended to evade monitoring. Johnson was terminated from her position on February 27. She had been employed with...
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