A barber working at the Augusta Youth Development Campus has resigned after his arrest for allegedly offering candy to a juvenile in exchange for oral sex.
Steven Kenneth Boler, 51, was charged Wednesday with enticing a child for indecent purposes.
Authorities say Boler tried to pressure a 14-year-old boy to provide oral sex last month inside the youth center.
According to a warrant, Boler asked the youth if he would provide oral sex for one piece of candy. The boy said no.
“For two pieces of candy?” the barber allegedly asked.
“No,” the boy said.
“For a whole bag of candy?”
“Yes.”
Authorities say the boy did not commit the sex act and was not given the candy. But he told other youths, who informed YDC officials of the offer.
Boler was charged Wednesday and booked into the Richmond County Detention Center under no bond.
Statement from the Department of Juvenile Justice:
Former DJJ contract employee, Mr. Steven Boler, resigned from the Department of Juvenile Justice on August 21st, 2014 while under investigation for allegedly making inappropriate solicitations to a DJJ youth in custody. Mr. Boler was immediately escorted from the Augusta YDC secure campus following a harassment complaint reported by a youth on August 17th to aDJJ Corrections Officer.
Boler, who was not a state employee, had worked at the Augusta Youth Development Campus as a barber under contract. After an immediate follow up by DJJ investigators, Boler was formally charged with enticing a child for indecent purposes and booked into the Richmond County Detention Center without bond.
The Department of Juvenile Justice teaches young residents to stay alert and report sexual misconduct if they discover it. DJJcounselors, teachers and corrections officers actively encourage a “reporting culture” among youth in custody so residents won’t be intimidated about seeking help if they encounter sexual abuse or harassment from anyone.
Administrators also train juvenile corrections staff to take swift action wherever evidence is found and prosecution is warranted to protect Georgia’s youth in detention. The Department of Juvenile Justice does not tolerate sexual misconduct in its secure facilities or operations.