Two inmates at the Butler County Prison are claiming that they were sexually harassed, which has launched an investigation at the prison.

County District Attorney Richard Goldinger, who is in charge of the investigation, said the accused is male and a vendor, not a prison employee. When asked if the accused is an employee of Trinity Services Group, which provides food services at the prison, he said, “I can't confirm or deny that.”

Goldinger said this morning that he didn't know what the nature of the alleged harassment is or who the two inmates are. However, he did confirm that the accused person has been banned from the prison during the investigation.

According to Goldinger, Mike Pisanchyn, the inmates' attorney, filed a petition for the inmates to be granted furloughs from the prison during the investigation.

“From what I understand he tried to present them to a judge yesterday but none was available,” Goldinger said. “What I suspect will happen is there will be a hearing schedule on his position.”

Goldinger said the hearing will be before Judge Thomas Doerr at a date and time to be determined.

Sheriff Mike Slupe, chairman of the prison board, said this morning that he is aware of the investigation, but did not know specifics of the case.

Calls to warden Joe DeMore were not returned Saturday morning.

An employee of a vendor at the Butler County Prison has been charged with sexual assault of inmates at the prison.Luis Quinones, 27, of Butler is charged with institutional sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, both felonies, and indecent assault, a misdemeanor, by county detectives.A warrant has been issued for his arrest.The charges were filed Friday after two inmates at the prison claimed that they were sexually harassed, which launched an investigation at the prison.Quinones works for Trinity Services Group, which provides food services at the prison.Warden Joe DeMore said Quinones has been banned from the prison indefinitely.