An Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office jail guard who allegedly admitted to bringing contraband into the facility and putting "hits" on inmates to incite violence was arrested Tuesday.
Robert Simon Sr., 57, was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on one count of being a principal to aggravated second-degree battery, malfeasance in office and obstruction of justice, according to sheriff's office records.
Violence has been a huge problem at the lockup, with more than 250 inmate-on-inmate assaults so far this year. Jail administrators are saying they are housing a more violent population than in previous years and that more of the assaults have led to injuries.
Through its investigation, the Sheriff's Office found that Simon, who has worked at the jail since July 2020, was present for a Sept. 9 incident in which an inmate was stabbed 13 times. In comments that were recorded on Simon's body-worn camera, according to the Sheriff's Office, Simon admitted to a medical provider that he knew the inmates had a weapon before the altercation began.
Simon also allegedly said he often delayed calling for backup during fights so that the inmates could "get what they ... deserve."
Authorities also say Simon told the nurse he placed "hits" on the incarcerated men and that he confessed to bringing contraband into the jail for money on 10 separate occasions.
An additional warrant signed Tuesday afternoon accuses Simon of sneaking suboxone, a drug traditionally used to treat opioid addiction, into the facility at least ten times. He was paid $6,550 for the job, an affidavit for the arrest warrant alleged. It charges him with 10 counts of malfeasance in office and 10 counts of introduction of contraband into a penal institution.
