LAKE COUNTY, Ind. — Charges have been filed against a correctional officer in Lake County, Indiana, accused of trafficking cellphones to inmates at the county jail.
According to Lake County Sheriff’s deputies, 56-year-old John Hoch was taken into custody after a warrant was issued for his arrest on Friday, following a months-long investigation.
Authorities say Hoch, a Dyer resident, is facing level 5 felony trafficking and level 6 felony official misconduct charges.
Deputies say Hoch was allegedly involved in a scheme to traffic cellphones and possibly other contraband to inmates at the Lake County Jail.
Hoch had been working at the jail for the last three and a half years, and the investigation has been taking place over the past several months, deputies say.
“The sheriff’s department takes trafficking at the jail seriously. This kind of unlawful scheme represents a clear violation of the standards and ethics upheld at our facility by the men and women who work tirelessly to maintain the safety and security of inmates and employees. It’s important to emphasize that while this was an unfortunate situation, the case does not reflect poorly upon the dedication and professionalism demonstrated each day by the majority of our correctional staff. The actions of this individual should not undermine or overshadow the integrity and commitment of our team,” Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said in a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon.
Deputies say they are still investigating several factors surrounding the case, including how many may have been involved in the alleged scheme.