18 People Indicted in Major Jail Drug Smuggling Operation, Including Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy
Los Angeles, CA – On February 25, 2025, District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that a Grand Jury has indicted 18 individuals, including Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Meiser, for their involvement in a large-scale drug smuggling operation inside the County jail system. The operation allegedly involved associates of the Mexican Mafia.
“Corruption and criminal behavior within our justice system, especially in our jails, will not be tolerated,” said District Attorney Hochman. “Keeping our correctional facilities safe and drug-free is essential for public safety. Those sworn to uphold the law must be held to the highest standards, and we will aggressively prosecute those who betray the public’s trust.”
The investigation into the drug smuggling began in February 2022, when the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force began looking into reports of narcotics being smuggled into the Los Angeles County Jail. The investigation also involved a violent attack on an inmate.
“We commend the Sheriff’s Department and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force for their thorough investigation,” District Attorney Hochman added. “We are also grateful for the dedication of Deputy-In-Charge Lou Avila, Deputy District Attorneys Abbigail Briones and Jessica Lansky, and all the prosecutors and investigators working on this case. We are committed to cleaning up our jail system and breaking the cycle of crime that affects our communities.”
The pretrial hearing for all defendants is scheduled for March 27 at Department 109 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
The indicted individuals include:
Michael Meiser (DOB 3/21/85) of Lancaster
Jose Trancito Martinez (DOB 6/30/88) of Long Beach
Daniel Garcia (DOB 12/30/86), an inmate
Pharoah Brooks (DOB 1/19/78), an inmate
David Fraysure (DOB 12/21/97), an inmate
Daniel Arochi Gonzalez (DOB 7/21/00) of Carson
Jackie Triplett (DOB 3/18/84), an inmate
Jesse Quintero (DOB 10/29/80) of Hacienda Heights
Marco Lujan (DOB 5/20/77) of Pomona
Andy Dominquez (DOB 1/22/95), an inmate
Ariel Pereyra (DOB 8/16/96), an inmate
Angel Grajales (DOB 11/27/91) of Arleta
Frank Rodriquez (DOB 10/27/93) of Los Angeles
Jose Rodriguez (DOB 3/29/77), an inmate
Jessie Abdon (DOB 8/11/00), an inmate
Arianna Inocente (DOB 4/3/02) of Norwalk
Salma Haro (DOB 1/23/01) of Long Beach
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy-In-Charge Lou Avila and Deputy District Attorneys Abbigail Briones and Jessica Lansky from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Prison Crimes Unit. The investigation was conducted by the Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force.
