DES MOINES, Iowa — A detention officer with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has found himself on the other side of the law, charged with four felony counts of possessing contraband in the county jail. KCCI-TV says according to the sheriff’s office, detectives arrested 26-year-old Mario Antonio Rocha, of Des Moines, just before noon on Tuesday (Aug. 13, 2024). Rocha had been employed with the PCSO as a detention officer at the Polk County Jail for just over a year. Court documents show the PCSO received a tip on Aug. 2 that Rocha had allegedly been bringing the narcotic K2 into the jail for an inmate “on multiple occasions.”

Polk County Sheriff Kevin Schneider specified that Rocha admitted to smuggling the drugs in on four occasions. The PCSO says Rocha submitted his two-week notice of resignation on Aug. 4, but when he was interviewed by investigators on Aug. 5, he was told the two weeks were not necessary. Court documents show Rocha admitted to using his personal cellphone to communicate with an inmate’s significant other. The Sheriff said there was no indication anyone else was involved in alleged smuggling. There are roughly 230 detention officers working at the Polk County Jail, and more than 1,000 inmates.

Schneider did not specify exactly how Rocha allegedly smuggled in the drugs. Rocha was released from custody on a surety bond early Tuesday afternoon. All four charges Rocha faces are Class D felonies, each carrying up to five years in prison.