A Hernando County detention deputy has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending the outcome of an investigation after being arrested along with his girlfriend in an illegal narcotics transaction, according to the sheriff's office.
Corporal Mitchell Sim, 41, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance. His girlfriend, 23-year-old Jean Hoek, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.
The investigation started after the sheriff’s office received a tip that a Hernando County detention corporal may be involved in illegal drug activity.
After a thorough investigation, a controlled narcotic transaction was arranged, using a confidential informant, according to the sheriff' soffice. Deputies said the informant was solicited by Hoek to sell 10 Oxycodone (30 mg.) tablets to her.
At the arranged time, deputies said Hoek arrived at the arranged location in a Nissan Frontier pickup truck driven by Sim.
Detectives said the informant made contact with Hoek and sold Hoek 10 Oxycodone (30 mg.) tablets in exchange for $250. Deputies said the informant then conversed with Sim, asking if he needed any pills. Sim told the informant that he did not have any money left in his account because he just bought the brand new truck he was driving, earlier in the day, detectives said.
Detectives converged on the truck. Hoek and Sim were placed under arrest.
Post Miranda, deputies said Sim admitted to detectives that he took the money from his bank account and gave it to Hoek to purchase the pills. He also admitted to driving her to the location to make the purchase.
Sim began his employment with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office on August 8, 2010.