Alligator Online

STARKE - A corrections captain fired in an ongoing investigation into an alleged sexual assault at Florida State Prison was found dead Tuesday of an apparent suicide, officials said. His death is the latest in a string of scandals in the state's prison system.

The body of Capt. Keith Davison, who worked at New River Correctional Institution, was found a day after he was fired for conduct unbecoming of a corrections officer. The Union County Sheriff's Office confirmed Davison died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

"I am deeply saddened by the news of Capt. Davison's death," Department of Corrections Secretary James Crosby said in a statement. "On behalf of the entire department, our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time."

A telephone number listed for Davison was disconnected, and it was not known if he had family in the area.

In Davison's dismissal letter, it said he was being terminated for unauthorized use of Department of Correction's property.

"Specifically, you have admitted that you used the visitor's suite at Florida State Prison's Bachelor Officer Quarters, and you participated in a party that had not been authorized. You also engaged in inappropriate behavior with a subordinate employee while at this location," the letter said.

Bradford County authorities were still investigating an alleged sexual assault at the party Friday night and refused to comment on whether Davison was a suspect, said Bradford Sheriff's Lt. W.H. "Bear" Bryant.

"It is still an open investigation," Bryant said.

Robby Cunningham, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Corrections, said the agency was cooperating in the investigation.