Lake County Corrections Officer Arrested, Charged With Trafficking Contraband To Inmates

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. (CBS) — A correctional officer in Lake County, Indiana, is facing charges for allegedly smuggling cellphones and other contraband to inmates, officials say.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, John Hoch, 56, of Dyer, was arrested Friday and faces charges of trafficking and official misconduct.

Officials say the investigation into the three-and-a-half-year employee spanned several months.

“The Sheriff’s Department takes jail trafficking seriously,” Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said in a statement. “This type of illegal scheme is 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 staff.”

The sheriff’s department is still investigating the case, including how many people may have been involved.