LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An investigation into a complaint against employees at the Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center has resulted in a corrections officer's arrest.
Kentucky State Police began the extensive investigation in December 2023 after receiving the complaint. The investigation centered on a contraband cell phone that was located inside the detention center. Detectives then determined that 56-year-old Jose Soto "was involved in the facilitation of introducing contraband into the facility," according to court documents.
On April 9, 2024, detectives arrested Soto and took him to the Warren County regional jail. He has been charged with one count of Promoting Contraband, a Class D felony.
Soto's first court appearance was on April 10, and he is due back in court on April 17, according to court records.
Kentucky’s juvenile justice system has struggled to house increasing numbers of youths accused of violent offenses. The result was a string of assaults, riots and escapes as well as incidents of abuse and neglect of youths at juvenile detention centers.
A riot broke out in 2022 at a detention center, causing injuries to young people and staff. Order was restored after state police and other law enforcement officers entered the facility. In another incident, some juveniles kicked and punched staff during an attack at another center.
Beshear responded with a series of policy changes to try to quell the violence. He announced, among other things, that male juveniles would be assigned to facilities based on the severity of their offenses, and “defensive equipment” — pepper spray and Tasers — was provided for the first time so detention center workers could defend themselves and others if attacked.
As the problems mounted, state lawmakers responded by appropriating money to boost salaries for juvenile justice employees, hire more Department of Juvenile Justice correctional officers, improve security at detention centers and increase diversion and treatment services for detained youths.
Kentucky Juvenile Justice Coverage:
- 'This is progress' | Kentucky bill targets state's embattled juvenile justice program
- New report reveals problems with use of force, isolation in Kentucky juvenile jails
- Lawsuit claims teen held in isolation, assaulted and ridiculed by staff in Kentucky juvenile facility
- Louisville's juvenile jail months behind schedule and $28 million more requested to fix it up
- Lawsuit claims girls held in isolation without working toilets for weeks in Kentucky juvenile facility
- Kentucky governor announces departure of commissioner running troubled juvenile justice agency
- Report finds riot at Kentucky juvenile jail was started by Louisville gang members
- Plan to reopen Louisville's Youth Detention Center will need time for necessary renovations
- Louisville's Youth Detention Center showing signs of neglect ahead of renovations, reopening
- Beshear signs off on legislation that would reopen Louisville's Youth Detention Center
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