Cook County corrections officer charged with misconduct

A veteran Cook County corrections officer is accused of striking a jail inmate and has been charged with official misconduct.

Rico Palomino has been a correctional officer for 12 years. He was charged Thursday in connection with a June 16 incident in the receiving area of Cook County Jail.

Prosecutors contend Palomino struck an inmate who was waiting to be processed into the jail. The inmate was facing misdemeanor charges and was trying to go into the inventoried property area to retrieve a telephone number.

Authorities allege Palomino struck the inmate in the face and filed several conflicting reports to justify the use of force.

A judge set Palomino’s next court date for Aug. 23.