Sexual misconduct charge dismissed for corrections counselor

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — A sexual misconduct charge has been dropped against a Thurston County corrections counselor accused of having sexual relations with an offender who was under state supervision.

The Daily News reports that Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer says he dismissed the charge against 31-year-old Kristina Auckland after a witness stopped cooperating in the case.

Court documents allege Auckland had sexual relations with a man who was released from the Cedar Creek Corrections Center while he was under correctional supervision.

Auckland entered an Alford plea for attempted witness tampering, which means the state has enough evidence to convict her without admitting guilt. The charge comes from Auckland allegedly having contact with the offender after being ordered not to.

Auckland says she only accepted the plea deal to avoid going to trial.