Former Texas Juvenile Corrections Officer Arrested for Inappropriate Contact with Teen Inmate

A former juvenile corrections officer with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) has been arrested on felony charges for allegedly touching a teen inmate inappropriately. Yuliana Mares, 40, faces one count of violation of civil rights of a person in custody through inappropriate sexual conduct, a first-degree felony, and one count of indecency with a child through sexual contact, a second-degree felony.

According to TJJD, the arrest followed an investigation into an incident that reportedly occurred in February 2025 at the Evins State Juvenile Correctional Facility in Edinburg. Mares, who was employed as a juvenile corrections officer at the time, is accused of touching the genitals of a 16-year-old male inmate. The TJJD’s Special Prosecution Unit is handling the case.

If convicted of the first-degree felony, Mares could face a fine of up to $10,000 and a prison sentence ranging from 5 to 99 years or life. The second-degree felony conviction carries a potential fine of up to $10,000 and a prison sentence of 2 to 20 years.

TJJD encourages anyone wishing to report alleged misconduct to contact their Incident Reporting Center via email at IRC@tjjd.texas.gov or by calling the 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-866-477-8354.