Lake corrections officer charged with smuggling contraband into prison

A Lake County correctional officer has been arrested on charges of smuggling contraband into the Lake County Jail.

On May 31, Lake County police officers arrested John R. Hoch, 56, on a warrant for allegedly smuggling cell phones and other contraband to inmates, said Lake County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Pam Jones said in a statement. Hoch, of Dyer, has been a correctional officer for Lake County for three and a half years, Jones said.

Hoch faces charges of trafficking, a Level 5 felony, and official misconduct, a Level 6 felony, according to court records. An arrest warrant has been filed against him.

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. called Hoch's arrest an “unfortunate situation” but said “the actions of this individual should not undermine or overshadow the integrity and commitment of our team “.

“The Sheriff’s Department takes traffic in the jail seriously. This type of illegal scheme represents a blatant violation of the standards and ethics upheld in our facility by the men and women who work tirelessly to maintain the safety and security of inmates and employees,” Martinez said in the release. . “This case does not reflect poorly on the dedication and professionalism demonstrated every day by the majority of our correctional staff. We remain steadfast in our mission to uphold the law and maintain the highest standards of conduct within our prison environment.

“Trafficking will not be tolerated. We will relentlessly pursue all individuals who engage in this type of crime. »

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.