A correctional officer at the San Joaquin County Jail has been arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and possession of an illegal assault weapon.

And the agency is expected to hold a press conference today where they will release more details about the incident that came after the result of an internal investigation.

No additional information was released by authorities.

“In an effort not to jeopardize the ongoing information, we are unable to provide additional details at this time,” the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement announcing the arrest. “Our top priority as Law Enforcement personnel is and will always be the safety of our community, even if that leads to removing one of our own.”

The agency also said that the arrest brings “immense disappointment” to the entire sheriff’s office and noted that a private press conference will be held today to provide more information to the public.

In the past several years the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office has been transparent about issues as they arise within the department – which is the largest in the county with over 800 sworn and support personnel – even when it involves charges against law enforcement officers.

While the identity of the correctional officers is not yet known, the agency did have a correctional officer, Alex Tafoya, face charges back in December of 2021 for allegedly sexually assaulting numerous female inmates in the jail during his tenure.

In October of 2020 it was San Joaquin County Jail correctional officer Zachary Simmons that was arrested and charged with rape and numerous other sex crimes for reportedly also abusing female inmates incarcerated at the facility.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.