In a bowel-dropping failure of police protocol, five Mount Vernon, New York, police officers have been suspended without pay after a suspect allegedly smuggled a .22-caliber revolver in his buttocks and opened fire inside a police transport van. The incident, which occurred on October 16, 2025, has sparked outrage, internal investigations, and serious questions about arrest and intake procedures in Westchester County.
How Did an Inmate Smuggle a Gun Past Police?
According to authorities and sources cited by WPIX and the New York Daily News, 32-year-old Louis Soto from the Bronx was arrested on October 15 for serious sex crimes involving a minor under 14. Witnesses reported Soto following a young girl into an apartment building and inappropriately touching her.
Despite being in custody, Soto somehow concealed a loaded handgun and crack cocaine on his person — allegedly hidden in his rectum — evading detection during both arrest and booking.
“A properly conducted frisk or authorized strip search should have revealed the weapon.” — Mount Vernon Police Department official statement
The following day, while being transported in a police van with four other prisoners, Soto retrieved the firearm and shot another inmate in the leg. The injured prisoner’s identity has not been released, but police confirm the wound was non-life-threatening.
Immediate Police Response & Officer Suspensions
Upon hearing the gunshot, the two officers driving the van — Omar Bryce and Sonjea Collins — immediately returned to headquarters. A thorough search of all detainees revealed:
- A .22-caliber revolver on Louis Soto
- Crack cocaine in his possession
The five suspended officers are:
| Officer Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Omar Bryce | Transport Officer |
| Sonjea Collins | Transport Officer |
| Cody Housen | Involved in Intake |
| Christian Pacheco | Involved in Intake |
| Sgt. Joseph Diaz | Supervising Sergeant |
All five face 30 days suspension without pay pending a full internal affairs investigation.
New Charges Against Louis Soto
Soto now faces a laundry list of upgraded and new charges:
✅ Original Charges
- Second-degree burglary
- Forcible touching
- Second-degree sex abuse
- Endangering the welfare of a child
✅ New Charges After Shooting
- First-degree attempted assault
- Multiple weapons possession offenses
- Criminal possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine)
Police are also investigating whether Soto had any prior connection to the inmate he shot — raising concerns of possible targeted violence inside the transport van.
What Went Wrong? A Breakdown in Police Procedure
The Mount Vernon PD admitted in a press release:
“Based on our established training, policies, and procedures, early findings indicate that the firearm should have been detected during arrest or intake.”
This isn’t just embarrassing — it’s a dangerous breach of public safety. Standard law enforcement protocols require:
- Thorough pat-downs at the scene of arrest
- Full searches during booking
- Strip searches when reasonable suspicion exists (especially with high-risk offenders)
Yet somehow, a loaded gun and drugs went undetected — even after Soto spent a full night in custody.