CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — A Charles County corrections officer faces serious charges following a grand jury indictment on March 28, 2025. Kolbey Cooper, 22, was indicted on two counts of sexual contact with an incarcerated individual, two counts of fourth-degree sex offense, and one count of delivering contraband to a detainee. The allegations stem from incidents at the Charles County Detention Center (CCDC), where Cooper had worked for two years.
The investigation began in early February when fellow correctional officers reported concerns about inappropriate interactions between Cooper and a female inmate to their supervisors. According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), an immediate probe revealed that Cooper and the inmate had exchanged written notes, violating facility protocols. That same day, supervisors suspended Cooper pending further investigation.
The CCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division, in collaboration with the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office, took over the case. Detectives uncovered evidence of inappropriate physical contact between Cooper and the inmate in a detention center hallway. Additionally, investigators found that Cooper had provided the inmate with an e-cigarette, classified as contraband under Maryland law. The Maryland State Police define contraband in correctional facilities as any item not authorized by the facility’s managing official, including smoking devices.
Following the indictment, authorities arrested Cooper on a criminal warrant on the evening of March 28. He appeared before a judge on March 31, who ordered his release under electronic monitoring as the case proceeds. The charges carry significant weight, reflecting Maryland’s strict laws on misconduct by correctional staff. According to the Maryland Courts website, a fourth-degree sex offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, while sexual contact with an inmate can lead to felony charges depending on the circumstances.
Sheriff Troy D. Berry addressed the situation, emphasizing accountability. “The integrity of our correctional system is paramount. We hold our officers to the highest standards, and when that trust is broken, we take swift and decisive action to hold those responsible accountable,” Berry said. His statement underscores the CCSO’s commitment to maintaining public trust in its facilities.
Alongside the criminal case, the CCSO’s Office of Professional Responsibility launched an administrative investigation to review Cooper’s conduct and ensure compliance with agency policies. This dual approach—criminal and internal—is standard practice in such cases, allowing for both legal consequences and potential employment actions, such as termination.
