Jail guard suspended after prostitution charge

A Fayette County corrections officer accused of having sex with a prostitute in a church parking lot has been suspended without pay.

Thomas J. Fike Jr., 27, of 191 Lenox St., Uniontown, was charged after he and the alleged prostitute, Kristi Bogol, were spotted by three Uniontown police officers at 3:30 a.m. Sept. 20 in the parking lot of St. George Maronite Catholic Church.

Bogol, 18, who court documents say is homeless, also is charged.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in support of the charges, both Fike and Bogol jumped up, trying to get dressed and hide, as the police turned on their lights. Police say Fike initially said Bogol was his cousin.

Bogol told police that Fike picked her up on North Gallatin Avenue. The two stopped at a gas station, where Fike bought Bogol a pack of cigarettes, a hot dog, a bag of chips and a Mountain Dew, police said.

The two then went to the church parking lot, where Fike allegedly offered Bogol $20, but she refused it. She told police that the sex was a way of thanking him for the food.

County records indicate Fike was hired to work in the county jail on July 31, 2000, and was earning $13.23 per hour. Warden Larry Medlock said Fike has been suspended without pay.

Both he and Bogol have been charged with open lewdness and prostitution. Both offenses are classified as third-degree misdemeanors.

While Bogol was arraigned and jailed for a time on the charges, Fike is being charged by summons.

Bogol was released this week after her bail was modified to $10,000 unsecured.