Sheriff's office: Correctional officer watched porn with inmates at Cook County Jail

A 22-year veteran of the Cook County sheriff’s office resigned after he was accused of watching porn with inmates on contraband electronic devices that he brought into a Cook County Jail barbershop, authorities said.

Oscar Taylor, 53, was a correctional officer assigned to monitor detainees receiving haircuts at the Division 6 barbershop, according to a statement from the Cook County sheriff’s office.

Through live surveillance, a sheriff’s office investigator saw Taylor watching pornographic videos on his cell phone with two other detainees, the sheriff’s office said.

Taylor had multiple electronic devices with him, which are not permitted inside the jail, the sheriff’s office said. Officials began investigating in early July after learning that contraband was being brought inside the barbershop.

During the investigation, authorities also found a firearm in Taylor’s vehicle which was not in a case and in close proximity to ammunition, the sheriff’s office said. Taylor’s Firearm Owner Identification Card is currently revoked because of an unrelated off-duty incident.

Taylor is charged with felony counts of unauthorized bringing of contraband into a penal institution, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, the sheriff’s office said.

He resigned shortly after his arrest, and had been employee of the sheriff’s office for 22 years.

Taylor, of Oak Park, was released on electronic monitoring at a bond hearing Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said.

Two inmates, 27-year-old William Taylor and 39-year-old Tyrone Noel, were charged with possession of contraband as part of the investigation, the sheriff’s office said. The correctional officer is not related to William Taylor.

William Taylor | Cook County sheriff’s office

Tyrone Noel | Cook County sheriff’s office