Sheriff's officers busted for smuggling contraband to inmates

SAN MATEO, Calif. (KGO) -- Three members of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department are charged with smuggling contraband into the county jail to known gang members.

Deputy Juan Lopez and correctional officers George Ismael and Michael del Carlo are charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice with a gang enhancement.

"The three participated in bringing in and allowing to be in San Mateo County jail two cell phones that were provided to a jail inmate for the purposes of communication with the outside," said District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

Cell phones are illegal in California jails.

Ismael is also charged with smuggling in the drug Oxycontin. Prosecutors say the smuggled contraband was given to an inmate - a validated gang member - who in turn paid the three for the goods.

"That allows these gang members we're trying to lock up to protect our county, to continue their nefarious activity on the street," said Wagstaffe.

The three were arrested at their homes on Thursday.

Lopez, who unsuccessfully ran for Sheriff of San Mateo county this year against incumbent Greg Munks, was booked into Alameda County jail. Del Carlo was being held at Santa Clara county's detention facility. And Ismael was detained at the San Mateo County Jail.

The Sheriff's office first noticed possible criminal activity almost a year ago in December. They turned the case over to D.A. investigators to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest.

The Sheriff's office says Friday was a rough day.

"We're here to enforce the law. And if there are any individuals in our organization that forgot that is our job everyday, then we're happy to stand by the District Attorney's office to prosecute these individuals," explained Rebecca Rosenblatt with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

Lopez and del Carlo bailed out on Friday. Ismael is expected to make bail soon.