Rape accomplice returns to prison

An Omaha inmate involved in a high-profile sexual assault was home for most of December through the state's re-entry furlough program. But two days before Christmas, Samuel J. Irvin was sent back to prison.

Irvin, 24, was sentenced in March to 20 to 48 months in prison for being an accessory to a brutal beating and rape of a Fort Calhoun woman. His victim wasn't notified of his home-based release, said Charles West, warden of the Community Correction Center in Omaha.

But after learning of Irvin's involvement in the furlough program, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine objected.

"If a county attorney objects, we bring (the inmate) back," West said. "That's normal protocol."

The re-entry furlough program is for inmates of non-violent offenses who are nearing the end of their sentence. The program provides a chance to re-integrate into society while still being monitored by prison officials, West said.

The victim in Irvin's case filed a request for a protection order on Dec. 22, the day before Irvin was sent back to the correction center.

In the petition, she recounted that she was in her car on July 18, 2010 when Irvin and codefendant Aaron M. Shepherd raped and beat her.

"Then Sam and Aaron left me by my car, only half dressed on a secluded road," the victim wrote. "When the ambulance got to me several hours later, they could not recognize who I was."

Shepherd originally told police that he acted alone in the assault. In court, he testified that he and Irvin took turns assaulting and beating their victim.

Prosecutors and police were unable to find any evidence to corroborate Shepherd's later version.

Shepherd, 20, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault, attempted murder and weapon use, and is serving 90 to 120 years in prison.

For the remainder of his prison term, Irvin will participate in a work-release program, unless he violates the terms.

On his Facebook page, Irvin tells his friends: "I'll be home in July."

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