Lake County Corrections Officer Charged
An intense investigation over the past several months has led to criminal charges against a Lake County correctional officer for allegedly trafficking cell phones and possibly other contraband to inmates at the Lake County Jail, said Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department its still investigating factors including how many people may have been involved in this type of illegal activity.
On Friday May 31, 2024, a warrant for trafficking with inmates was issued for 56-year-old John Hoch, of Dyer. He was taken into custody by Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers. He faces level 5 felony trafficking and level 6 felony official misconduct charges. Hoch has been employed at the jail for the last 3 and a half years.
The sheriff’s department takes trafficking at the jail seriously, Martinez said. “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.”
“We remain steadfast in our mission to uphold the law and to maintain the highest standards of conduct within our jail environment,” Martinez added. “Trafficking will not be tolerated. We will relentlessly pursue any and all individuals who engage in this kind of crime.”
