Federal Correctional Officer Charged With Sexually Assaulting Seven Inmates at Alabama Prison

PICKENS COUNTY, Ala. (BuzzReport) — A correctional officer at a federal prison in west Alabama has been indicted on multiple federal charges after authorities say he sexually assaulted several female inmates while working inside the facility.

According to a federal indictment, Felix Sylvester Wilder, 37, faces eight counts of deprivation of rights under color of law stemming from the alleged sexual assault of seven female inmates.

Prosecutors say the alleged assaults occurred at the Federal Correctional Institution Aliceville, a federal women’s prison located in Pickens County. Court documents state the incidents took place over a period of more than two years, between May 2022 and September 2024, while Wilder was employed at the facility as a correctional officer.

Federal investigators allege Wilder abused the authority granted to him as a prison officer and violated the civil rights of incarcerated women under his supervision. The charges accuse him of using his position to commit sexual acts against the inmates while he was on duty inside the prison.

The indictment states that by engaging in the alleged conduct, Wilder deprived the victims of their constitutional rights while acting under the authority of his position as a federal employee.

The case is being prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice, which noted that a conviction on the charges could carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Officials have not released additional details about the victims, citing privacy protections for incarcerated individuals who report sexual abuse.

The investigation remains ongoing, and Wilder is expected to appear in federal court to face the charges. Federal authorities have not indicated whether additional charges or victims could be identified as the case proceeds.