LA County Deputy Pleads Guilty to Heroin Smuggling into Jail

Michael Meiser, a 40-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy assigned to the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin in connection with a Mexican Mafia smuggling operation. In April 2024, Meiser conspired with inmates to smuggle over a pound of heroin into the jail concealed inside two Pringles cans, receiving $15,000 in cash and additional payments via Cash App sent to a relative. The operation was uncovered following an investigation by the sheriff's department, FBI, and Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau, with Meiser arrested after attempting to bring the heroin and cash into the jail in a fellow deputy's vehicle. Prosecutors allege Meiser smuggled drugs to inmate "shot-callers" who control Latino inmates under Mexican Mafia influence, and he was found with additional cash and heroin during searches. Meiser faces a federal prison sentence ranging from five to 40 years, with sentencing scheduled for December 11. The case highlights corruption involving a law enforcement officer abusing his position to facilitate narcotics trafficking within the county jail system.