A South San Francisco woman working as a baking instructor at the Maple Street Correctional Center in Redwood City was arrested on suspicion of smuggling drugs into the jail, sparking a new investigation and raising concerns about the screening process of contractors in correctional facilities.
San Mateo County Sheriff's Office
41-year-old Dafne Araceli Largaespada was brought on board at the jail to teach nonviolent inmates how to hone their culinary skills, with the aim of improving their job prospects upon release. However a corrections officer observed her actions and suspected her of bringing drugs into the facility, leading to her arrest, according to the Mercury News.
San Mateo County Sheriff's Lt. William Fogarty stated that Largaespada was arrested on suspicion of bringing a controlled substance into a jail, possessing a controlled substance for sale, and transporting a controlled substance for sale. However, citing the ongoing investigation, Fogarty refrained from revealing any specific details about her actions or the method used for sneaking the drugs into the facility.
What comes as a surprising revelation is the instructor's prior criminal record. According to a tweet from KTVU reporter Henry Lee, Largaespada has previous convictions for receiving stolen property, burglary, and drug possession.
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office hasn't divulged any more information about how the drugs were spotted by the corrections officer or the types of drugs involved. However, the San Mateo Daily Journal reports that the Sheriff's Office is seeking help from anyone who may have information about the case, urging them to call their anonymous tip line at (800) 547-2700.
