Centre Co., PA (WJAC) — Authorities with the Department of Corrections say a Centre County prison guard is facing charges after being accused of smuggling contraband into SCI Benner for an inmate.
Officials say Kevin Hoch Jr, 40, of Pleasant Gap, admitted to being paid thousands of dollars from the inmate's family to smuggle the contraband into the prison.
According to the affidavit, authorities began investigating Hoch after prison staff had reviewed phone conversations, made by the unidentified inmate, and suspected that a package was going to be delivered to Hoch's home.
Upon further investigation, authorities say Hoch admitted to being paid approximately $17,000 to smuggles papers laced with a synthetic form of cannabis, as well as Suboxone, into the prison.
Investigators say Hoch explained that he had been smuggling the contraband for approximately four months and had agreed to do so because of a "personal gambling situation."
Hoch faces multiple conspiracy-related charges, according to online court records, as well as one count of criminal use of a communication device.
He has since been released on unsecured $75,000 bail and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16.
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