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Pendleton – A Correctional Officer with the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) was arrested this afternoon as the result of a joint investigation between Department of Corrections Internal Affairs Officers and the Indiana State Police.
 
The events started earlier today when IDOC investigators contacted Detective Bob May at the Pendleton Post a little after 8 a.m. Investigators advised May they had discovered over 100 cell phones concealed in an employee’s car that was inside the Pendleton Correctional Facility. The car had been driven into the prison, with permission, and dropped off by off duty Correctional Officer Taylor Hardesty, age 23 of Indianapolis, to have the brakes repaired.
 
Hardesty was to return later to pick up his repaired car. Further investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Bob May led to Hardesty being located at the home of an acquaintance on the south side of Indianapolis this afternoon. Detective May arrested Hardesty and brought back to Madison County where he was lodged for Trafficking with an Inmate, Level 5 Felony, and Bribery, Level 5 Felony.