Man charged with promoting contraband while employed as correctional officer

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A man is charged with promoting contraband while employed as a correctional officer with the Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

The Kentucky State Police says it arrested Jose Soto, 56, of Leitchfield, Kentucky, on Tuesday. He is charged with one count of first-degree promoting contraband.

Authorities say the arrest was in response to a complaint troopers received on Dec. 3 about employees at the Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center, prompting an extensive investigation.

According to a uniform citation, police began an investigation into a contraband cell phone that was located inside the juvenile detention center. The citation states it was determined Soto was involved in the “facilitation of introducing contraband into the facility.”

Soto has been placed on investigative leave effective April 10, according to Morgan Hall, the communications director for the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.

Soto was transported to the Warren County Detention Center.

The investigation remains ongoing.