SHERIFF

3 Sheriff's Employees Charged With Smuggling Cellphones, Drugs Into Jail

Three employees in the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office were arrested Thursday on suspicion of smuggling cellphones and drugs to a known gang member at a county jail in Redwood City, the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office said Friday.

Police arrested sheriff's Deputy Juan Pablo Lopez, correctional officer George Ismael and correctional officer Michael Del Carlo on felony warrants, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Prosecutors said an independent investigation revealed the men were bringing in cellphones, illegal drugs and other prohibited contraband to a "validated criminal street gang member" at the San Mateo County Maguire Main Jail in Redwood City.

Police arrested Lopez, an employee of the Sheriff's Office for 26 years, in Newark on charges of conspiracy to bring an unauthorized communication device into the jail, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and a gang enhancement. Police said he was booked in the Alameda County Jail on the $100,000 warrant.

Police arrested Del Carlo, who has been a correctional officer for 19 years, in San Jose on the same charges. He was booked in the Santa Clara County Jail on the $100,000 warrant.

Ismael, a correctional officer for 15 years, was arrested in Redwood City and charged with brining an unauthorized communication device into the jail, conspiracy to obstruct justice, conspiracy to bring controlled substances to the jail, furnishing controlled substances to in-custody inmates, and a gang enhancement.

He was booked in the San Mateo County Jail on the $100,000 warrant.

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