Deputy Sheriff, 2 Corrections Officers Arrested For Allegedly Smuggling Cellphones, Drugs Into Redwood City Jail
SAN MATEO (CBS SF) -- A San Mateo County deputy sheriff and two corrections officers have been arrested and charged in an alleged conspiracy to smuggle cellphones and drugs in the county jail for use by gang members.
Deputy Juan Pablo Lopez, along with correctional officers George Ismael and Michael Del Carlo were arrested Thursday, according to a statement from district attorney Stephen Wagstaffe.
Lopez is a 26-year veteran with the sheriff's office who unsuccessfully ran for sheriff earlier this year, while Ismael and Del Carlo have 15 and 19 years with the department, respectively.
According to the statement, the three are accused of smuggling the cellphones and drugs into the Maguire Main Jail in Redwood City for a validated street gang member at the jail. Wagstaffe said the three allowed the inmate and other fellow gang members to use the phones and drugs inside the jail.
The arrests were carried out in a multi-agency operation in three counties. Lopez was arrested in Newark, Del Carlo arrested in San Jose and Ismael arrested in Redwood City, each on a $100,000 warrant.
They face charges of conspiracy, transporting cellular phones into a jail, furnishing controlled substances to in-custody inmates, obstruction and gang enhancement allegations.
