Officials have begun an internal investigation into another series of alleged inmate-on-inmate sexual offenses at the Alachua County, Fla., jail.

A 20-year-old female inmate told detention officers that she was the victim of a sexual offense by another female inmate while the two were taking showers in one of the women's housing areas at the jail. The extent of the sexual contact is not known. The victim is being held on a retail theft charge and because of charges from another county. The 39-year-old suspect is in jail on charges related to felony theft.

Two other female inmates have since come forward with sexual offense allegations, Alachua County sheriff's spokesman Lt. Jim Troiano said. Sexual offenses can range from inappropriate touching to penetration.

"We are looking into the possibility of other victims," Troiano said. The Sheriff's Office took over the day-to-day operations of the jail from the Alachua County Commission in 1998.

An investigation was begun Sunday, Troiano said. It is not complete and no criminal charges have been filed, Troiano said.

The incident occurred about 6 p.m. Saturday in a locker-room-style shower with multiple shower heads and privacy curtains. It is unclear why the two were not noticed since a detention officer is assigned to the pod. Sexual contact among inmates is against the rules.

The suspect has been moved into a separate housing unit.

The incident comes on the heels of another investigation stemming from the alleged June rape of a 19-year-old University of Florida student by his cell mate, Randolph Jackson. The investigation, which was concluded in August, linked Jackson to as many as four other sexual assaults on inmates.

Jackson had been an inmate at the jail since July 2002 when he was arrested and charged with the rape of a woman in her southwest Gainesville home.

Two correctional officers were fired and blamed with placing prisoners in Jackson's cell at his request, despite his violent history. Because of the officers' involvement, the State Attorney may have the grand jury look into jail operations.