The Sequatchie County Justice Center

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A volunteer at the Sequatchie County Jail has been charged with having sexual contact with an inmate and coercion of a witness, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Charles Rawlins, 63, of 198 Elm St., Dunlap, was arrested Tuesday on the charges, according to a release from the state agency.

On July 22, 2011, the TBI and the Sequatchie County Sheriff's Office began investigating allegations that Rawlins was having sexual contact with an inmate while volunteering with the jail ministry program and overseeing the county food bank where inmates work, the TBI release states.

Earlier this week, Rawlins approached a witness in the investigation who felt threatened by a comment Rawlins made about the case against him, according to the release.

Rawlins is being held without bond until a court appearance set for Friday, officials said.