A Chattanooga-area correctional officer has been arrested after investigators say he engaged in sexual relations with two incarcerated inmates at the Silverdale Detention Center in Chattanooga.

On Tuesday, July 13, 2021, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division received information that a corrections officer at the Hamilton County Silverdale Detention Center was involved in a sexual relationship with two (2) inmates incarcerated at the facility. The investigation revealed that Christopher Freed, (21 years old), had been in a sexual relationship with two (2) female inmates, and the sexual acts had taken place within the facility while Freed was on duty.

As a result of the investigation, Freed was arrested and booked into the Silverdale Detention Center on two (2) counts of Sexual Contact with Inmates.

Freed, began his employment with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in May 2021. As he has not yet completed his mandatory six month probation as required by Civil Service, he has been terminated immediately by Sheriff Jim Hammond.

As this is an ongoing criminal and internal investigation, no further details are available.