Prosecutors: Correctional officer stole from inmates entering jail

Tyrone McDowell Jr. worked in the Cook County Jail's Trust Department. But prosecutors say he betrayed his employer's trust repeatedly this year.

Cook County Judge Donald Panarese ordered McDowell held on $50,000 bail after prosecutors alleged in court that the correctional officer stole a total of $1,260 from 10 inmates being booked into the jail.

Prosecutors say McDowell, 33, took the inmates' money, forged receipts for a lesser amount and then pocketed the difference. McDowell, of Blue Island, is charged with official misconduct, forgery and theft.

Prosecutors claim the thefts ranged from $60 to $300 and all occurred between July and September.

"The defendant was the only correctional officer that was working on all of the dates that all 10 victims had their money processed at the jail," assistant state's attorney Alexander Vroustouris said.

Internal auditors uncovered the scam when an internal auditor found what appeared to be a forged record. An inmate then complained he turned in $500 -- but only got $200 upon his release. Other complaints soon followed, according to the Cook County sheriff's department.

A defense attorney said McDowell has been a correctional officer for four years. Before that, he spent seven years working as a counselor, helping people transition from jail back into the community.