EVERETT — A Snohomish County corrections deputy admitted Wednesday to engaging in misconduct with an inmate on Christmas.

Randal Johnson was accused of kissing the woman and gifting her contraband noodles and juice. Prosecutors earlier this month charged Johnson with second-degree custodial sexual misconduct, a gross misdemeanor.

It is illegal for corrections officers or other law enforcement personnel to engage in sexual contact with anyone under arrest or jailed.

Johnson, 57, was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday. He opted to plead guilty right out of the gate. Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Justin Harleman agreed not to recommend any jail time for Johnson.

“I don’t think there was any force or compulsion in this case,” Harleman said.

Nevertheless, Johnson took advantage of his position of power, Harleman said. “He’s paying the price now and will continue paying the price.”

Johnson was fired last week from his job at the jail, Snohomish County sheriff’s spokeswoman Shari Ireton said Wednesday. He was put on paid administrative leave Jan. 18. while the case was under investigation. Johnson had worked for the county since 2000.

An emotional Johnson apologized Wednesday.

“I hurt my family. … I want to say I’m sorry,” he said.

Defense attorney Pete Mazzone said the plea agreement was the right resolution given the facts of the case.

Everett District Court Judge Anthony Howard agreed to spare Johnson a jail sentence. He will be on probation for two years and is required to pay about $1,000 in fines.

The judge warned Johnson to follow the conditions of his probation. Howard said he wouldn’t hesitate to jail the Everett man if he got sideways with the law again.

Johnson was working a double shift in the jail at the time of the illegal kiss.

An inmate, whose name is redacted in court papers, claimed that the corrections deputy flirted with her, sheriff’s detective Larry Cole wrote in an affidavit.

She alleged Johnson provided her with contraband, including Top Ramen noodles with a foil seasoning packet — a product off limits to inmates per jail policy. He also allegedly gave her juice from the deputies’ security office.

The woman alleged that late on Christmas, Johnson stopped by her cell and made a sexual comment. A few minutes later, he unlocked her cell door and requested that she meet him in the TV module room. The inmates were on bedtime lockdown at the time.

The woman said Johnson held her up against a wall and kissed her, Cole wrote.

Video evidence allegedly shows Johnson removing the woman from her cell and meeting her in a remote area out of the view of a camera.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.