In a case that raises questions about the integrity of law enforcement, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy stands accused of smuggling heroin into the North County Correctional Facility. Deputy Michael Meiser, 39, has been slapped with felony charges after his arrest on April 30 by the Sheriff Department's Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau, as KTLA 5 News reported.
The precise nature of charges aren't listed, but an informant close to the matter spilled to the NBC Los Angeles that Meiser had been under scrutiny for some time, and was observed buying heroin in Los Angeles before returning to his post at the jail. A department statement confirmed that the deputy is currently relieved of duty, pending the outcome of the case.
This incident only highlights the ongoing battle against drug smuggling within the county jail system. Official data shows that the Castaic jail, officially known as the North County Correctional Facility, has been the stage for dozens of narcotics discoveries this year alone. With a widening investigation in process, the walls of the penitentiary are proving to be permeable to illicit substances.
While Meiser is the current focus, the investigation could potentially unveil a broader network of complicity. Officials have indicated that other deputies and jail staff might be involved. "The Department's Internal Criminal Investigation Bureau initiated an investigation into allegations involving an employee," a Sheriff's Department statement revealed, adding, "The employee is relieved of duty pending the outcome of the case." This statement was obtained by KTLA 5 News, shedding light on the department's terse acknowledgment of the ordeal.
As the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office huddles over the brewing scandal, no official charges have been filed yet, although they are privy to the investigation's progress. The crackdown on illegal drugs at the Castaic facility persists, with the Sheriff's Department grappling to clear its ranks of any corruption and restore trust within an embattled system.
