Federal Prison Chaplain James Highhouse Sexually Abused a Woman in His Custody. He Got Seven Years.

 

Federal Prison Chaplain James Highhouse Sexually Abused a Woman in His Custody

James Theodore Highhouse was a federal prison chaplain at FCI Dublin, the California women’s prison that became notorious for widespread sexual abuse by staff.

His position carried a particular kind of trust.

Women came to him for religious guidance, counseling, and support. Federal prosecutors said Highhouse used that spiritual authority to manipulate and sexually abuse an incarcerated woman.

In 2023, Highhouse pleaded guilty to five felony charges, including sexual abuse of a ward, abusive sexual contact, and making false statements to federal investigators.

He was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by seven years of supervised release.

At sentencing, the judge described Highhouse's conduct as a serious abuse of the enormous trust placed in him as a religious leader.

Highhouse was one of numerous FCI Dublin employees convicted in the scandal that exposed systemic sexual abuse inside the prison.

But his role makes this betrayal especially brutal.

She went to a chaplain for spiritual care. He used that trust to sexually abuse her.