A pair of Westchester cops are on modified duty, and an accused child sex offender is facing new assault charges following an unexplained shooting inside a jail transport van, according to court records and police reports.
Investigators are now working to determine how 32-year-old Louis Soto, a prisoner from the Bronx, allegedly managed to sneak a handgun and cocaine into a Mount Vernon police van. During the transport on Thursday, Soto is accused of shooting another inmate.
The injured inmate, who has not been identified, was struck in the leg and is expected to survive.
Meanwhile, the two Mount Vernon officers assigned to the van have been taken off the streets as the investigation continues.
Soto was originally arrested on Wednesday and charged with sex abuse of a minor, burglary, and forcible touching. He was being transported to the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla along with other inmates when the incident occurred, according to prosecutors.
The unnamed officers were alerted when a gunshot rang out inside the van. “The officers reported hearing a single gunshot in the rear of the van followed by a prisoner stating that he had been shot,” Mount Vernon police noted.
“This is a very serious incident and we take this very seriously,” the police chief added.
Following the shooting, Soto was hit with new assault and illegal weapons possession charges. He is currently being held at the county jail pending arraignment.
Mount Vernon officials have not responded to requests for comment. However, reports indicate that city police are coordinating with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office to investigate the incident.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/20/us-news/cops-on-modified-duty-prisoner-facing-new-charges-after-shooting-inside-jail-transport-van/