FRANKLIN COUNTY — Bail has been set at $150,000 for a 37-year-old former Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy accused of sexual assault and misconduct involving a female prisoner.

Christopher N. Hampton was arrested Thursday morning at his Mulkeytown home by Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies and Illinois State Police on a warrant stemming from an alleged incident on Jan. 16 of last year when Hampton was employed as a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy.

Sheriff Don Jones says the alleged victim is a woman who had been arrested on an unrelated matter.

Jones says he was made aware of the allegation later that same day and initiated a preliminary investigation that resulted in Hampton being placed on administrative leave and immediately losing the privilege of representing himself as a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy.

The sheriff requested on Jan. 18 of last year for Illinois State Police to conduct a criminal investigation.

The warrant charges Hampton with one count criminal sexual assault and a second count of custodial sexual misconduct. He remains in the Franklin County Jail.

Franklin County State’s Attorney Evan Owens referred the case to the State’s Attorney’s Appellant Prosecutors Office. Special Prosecutor Lorinda Lamken is handling the prosecution.

Hampton resigned his position as a Franklin County Deputy Sheriff after the initiation of the investigation.