Mario Rupert, a Sebastian County detention center deputy, was arrested Friday afternoon for allegedly passing contraband to an inmate, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators received information from employees that contraband was being brought into the detention center.
Rupert was interviewed and told investigators that the inmate made a threatening statement toward his wife, according to Major Kevin Nickson.
Nickson says that Rupert told them the inmate was able to give his wife’s name and birth date, but never provided information about a legitimate threat.
“It is unfortunate that one of our deputies had to be arrested but the policy and procedures, along with training, were developed to keep such incidents from occurring,” Major Nickson said in a statement. “Policies and training, along with deputies holding their co-workers accountable, will help prevent the entry of contraband into the detention center.”
Nickson did not say what type of contraband Rupert allegedly brought into the jail.
