A Polk County Circuit Court judge sentenced a Salem man and former federal prison guard Tuesday, April 14, to 12 years and 5 months in prison for sexually abusing a child under 12 in West Salem. Peter Nicholas Fles Jr., 41, pleaded no contest to two counts of first-degree sex abuse, a class B fel ony, according to a statement from the Polk County District Attorney’s office on Wednesday, April 15.  Pro Tem Judge Timothy R. Park also sentenced Fles to 45 months of post-prison supervision and ordered he register as a sex offender following his release.  A Polk County grand jury indicted Fles Sept. 19, 2024, on four counts of first-degree sexual abuse, one count of first-degree sodomy and one count of incest. Two charges of sexual abuse and the sodomy and incest charges were dismissed on April 14.  The Salem Police Department investigated the case.  The victim reported the abuse, according to the statement. It did not give additional details about how or when the victim reported Fles.   “The Polk County District Attorney’s Office commends the victim for reporting the abuse and their bravery throughout the case,” the statement said. Fles was employed as a prison guard at the Federal Correctional Institution in Sheridan at the time of his arrest, the release said.  An operator at the Sheridan facility referred questions about Fles’ employment to a public information officer, who did not respond to emailed questions sent Wednesday morning. Contact reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected]. SIGN UP: Salem Reporter is dedicated to covering the people, issues, and stories that shape our community. Stay connected to Salem. Subscribe today. The post Former federal prison guard sentenced for sexually abusing West Salem child appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less