|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Seven defendants including three San Mateo County sheriff’s employees accused of a conspiracy to smuggle cellphones and drugs into county jail appeared in court together for the first time today, prosecutors said.
Four of them entered not guilty pleas today and all seven have now pleaded not guilty to numerous felony charges.
One of the defendants, sheriff’s Deputy Juan Pablo Lopez, 51, ran against his boss, Sheriff Greg Munks, in the June 2014 election.
The defendants are set to appear in court again on Feb. 11 for a preliminary hearing, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
The preliminary hearing will be “the first time the public will get a chance to see the witnesses” and other evidence in the case, Wagstaffe said.
Wagstaffe said the evidence shows the three sheriff’s employees helped deliver cellphones and drugs to Hells Angels member Dionicio Lopez Jr., 27, between April and December 2013. There is no family connection between Dionicio Lopez and Deputy Juan Lopez, according to the DA’s office.
Dionicio Lopez was in custody at the time of the alleged criminal actions on charges that he shot at a Daly City home in 2011 believing a rival gang member lived there, narrowly missing two young children watching television.
The cellphones were allegedly delivered by corrections officer George Ismael, 40. Prosecutors said Ismael spoke to Lopez’s sister, Amanda Lopez, 25, met with his girlfriend, Roxanne Ingebretsen, 28, and picked up a cellphone purchased by his mother, Leticia Lopez, 55, to deliver to him in jail.
When Dionicio Lopez allegedly sold the phone to another inmate, Ismael brought him another one, according to prosecutors.
He used the phones to communicate with his family and fellow Hells Angels members while in jail. That way, he arranged to have drugs delivered to him, and when his jail cell was searched last December, investigators found smuggled oxycodone, alprazolam and ibuprofen, prosecutors said.
Another corrections officer, Michael Del Carlo, 43, allegedly took Dionicio Lopez’s cellphone out of his cell at his request and brought it back two days later.
Sheriff’s Deputy Lopez allegedly took a picture of two other inmates with one of the contraband phones, according to prosecutors.
Ismael, Del Carlo and Juan Lopez each have more than a decade of experience with the sheriff’s office. Juan Lopez received 1.4 percent of the vote as a write-in candidate in June, when he tried to unseat Munks.
Today, Del Carlo and Leticia Lopez each pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy. Amanda Lopez and Ingebretsen also pleaded not guilty to the two conspiracy counts today, as well as a third conspiracy count of smuggling the drugs into jail.
Juan Lopez previously pleaded not guilty to two conspiracy counts. Ismael pleaded not guilty to three conspiracy counts. Dionicio Lopez pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy and three counts of possessing drugs in jail.
By
By
By
Change of plans: Research campus to leave Menlo Park, make way for more housingJune 12, 2026 6:46 pm
Press Release from District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
In the San Mateo County Sheriff Deputy Juan Lopez case, the Search Warrants are still hidden. They were missing from Court Records when I went to see them a week after doors kicked in, (DA had the keys). They showed up after 2 Where are they e-mails, but now sealed and Wagstaffe refuses to turn over.
This Press Release is an example that nothing has changed in San Mateo County in the 12 years since residents have been warning the Board of Supervisors about the Deep Level of Corruption in the DA’s Office.
http://thissideofthehill.com/threads/district-attorneys-office-needs-probe-2003-bos-meeting.21/
Mr Stogner: are you saying there was not a conspiracy to work with the prisoners in a smuggling operation?
While there may or may not be a “Deep Level of Corruption in the DA’s Office” (your caps,) I imagine many of us want to know if there is a level of corruption among the DEPUTIES and prisoners (my caps.)
Are you a lawyer for the defendants?
*imagine many of us ALSO want to know
Just keeping the facts clear in this case, there is only one San Mateo County Sheriff Deputy charged and that is Juan Lopez. the other two men are correctional officers employees of the Sheriff Office.
“Wagstaffe said the evidence shows the three sheriff’s employees helped deliver cellphones and drugs to Hells Angels member”..Time will tell if that is a true statement or not.
Okay, indeed, time will tell. Thanks for the correction on 1 deputy, and the two others.
Are you a lawyer for any of the defendants? Mr Lopez only?
Have you seen any of the photos on the cell phone?
I thought there were no photos?
Otherwise, good questions.
criminal acts, or no criminal acts? asks
“Are you a lawyer for any of the defendants? Mr Lopez only?”
I am not a lawyer period.
“Have you seen any of the photos on the cell phone?” I have not seen any photos and don’t know which phone you are referring to?
Mr. Stogner –
You said “Just keeping the facts clear in this case, there is only one San Mateo County Sheriff Deputy charged and that is Juan Lopez. the other two men are correctional officers employees of the Sheriff Office.”
That is precisely what this article states.
Pogo,
You are correct,
Mr Stogner: thank you, for your responses. I was just curious as to the reason for your advocacy of these apparent ‘bad apple’ cops who are accused of smuggling phones and drugs to gang-members in jail, and would have found it interesting for their lawyer to be using this platform to disseminate information.
criminal acts, or no criminal acts? says “I was just curious as to the reason for your advocacy of these apparent ‘bad apple’ cops”……….. I am as surprised as you are to be involved in this case.
Here is what is different in the Juan Lopez case.
I have personal knowledge of our District Attorney filing false charges against people. I have been a Jury Foreperson in such a case.
I was on the phone with Deputy Juan Lopez when he got arrested. He would have turned himself in had they just called him. He had been under house arrest (my words since 8/4/14.
He is looking forward to his day in court, and I am only talking about one person, Deputy Juan Lopez
curious to know how the preliminary hearing went
Biker gangs and bad cops – its a bad script for Sons of Anarchy. Is this the cop that wanted to run for sheriff, but was too late to file papers because of bad “traffic”?
There was a preliminary hearing set for February 11, 2015 9:00 AM for Dionicio Rafael Lopez jr. it was continued until March 13, 2015 9:00AM.
Yes Sheriff Deputy Juan Lopez was the write in candidate for Sheriff of San Mateo County this last election.
Today Hon. Judge Mark Forcum granted a continuance in response to Deputy Juan Lopez’s attorney Stuart Hanlon filing a motion stating that he had jus recently received a copy of the taped interview of Deputy Lopez conducted by the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office on August 4, 2014.
Judge Forcum was upset to find out that this was true. Tomorrow was to be the first of two days court time for the entire case. The behavior of the District Attorneys Office just cost the taxpayers and all of the defendants.
Next court date for all defendants is December 16, 2015
When was the tape requested?
Jack asks a great question,
When was the tape requested?
December 2014, January 2015, February 2015 all three requests were made in writing.
more abusive behavior from our corrupt DA’s office. Why I am I not surprised?
Supervisors of San Mateo County GC 25303, You have been warned and notified for the last 15 years that I am aware of. Make San Mateo County Safer audit the DA’s work and performance, What happens when they violate the LAW.
Currently Nothing………..Fix it
Posted by Menlo Voter
a resident of Menlo Park: other
9 hours ago
Menlo Voter is a registered user.
more abusive behavior from our corrupt DA’s office. Why I am I not surprised?
Just curious if this case went to trial, and what the outcome was.
Nope not yet,
I can say this there is no evidence that Juan Lopez had anything to do with a cell phone or drugs getting into our Jail.
Prosecutorial Misconduct is what we have.
Is this the case where they smuggled contraband in to gang members?
They have to lock these crooks up!
Thank you for the update on the trial, can you tell me if all 7 are being tried as 1, that seems ridiculous, considering(even if this all was true, which I doubt)the roles very considerably.
I was at one time close to one of the correctional Officers, he loved his job and was paid very well. It has been a few years, but I cant imagine a few bucks from the outside would change that. If possible, and I understand if not could you shoot me a short message when it starts.
Thanks again!
You seriously would “lock someone up” based on the media, wow.
Really interesting case illustrating a lot of concepts from current events.
SM Deputy who runs against incumbent sheriff has book thrown at him for allegedly taking a picture of an inmate with his cell phone. His girlfriend is also arrested.
SM Deputy who pulls out his gun in the courtroom and threatens South Carolina justice? No punishment I’ve heard of.
SM Deputy who brutally beats up his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend…case dropped.
Menlo Park Cop who sees a prostitute while on duty? Charges dropped after arresting officers don’t show up for trial.
Baltimore Cops who rough ride a prisoner resulting in him breaking his neck and dying? Charges dismissed.
NYC Cop who kills street vendor by choking him out as he is gasping “I can’t breathe”? Charges never filed.
Does anyone see a pattern here? It’s not a good one.
Set for Jury trail August 22, 2016 9:00AM
Sheriff Deputy Andy Mar
SM Deputy who pulls out his gun in the courtroom and threatens South Carolina justice? No punishment I’ve heard of.
“SM Deputy who pulls out his gun in the courtroom and threatens South Carolina justice? No punishment I’ve heard of.”
Of course not. He didn’t try to run for Sheriff.
Welcome to San Mateo County.
I said – Is this the case where they smuggled contraband in to gang members? They have to lock these crooks up!
No more soft librul mollycoddling of criminal gangs!
Loc k them all up!
Gal A said
“I said – Is this the case where they smuggled contraband in to gang members? They have to lock these crooks up!”
This is the case that District Attorney and Sheriff’ Office said Deputy Juan Lopez smuggled a cell phone and drugs into our jail and to a gang member.
Only one small problem, There is ZERO evidence for both of those allegations.
Now what do you want to do, Gal A?
Prosecute! Where there is smoke there is probably fire.
A higher standard for all publicdoleservants. They can not mess with gangbangers and get away with here. Soon its bribes and drugs etc..
Protect our taxpayers who pay those inflated union wages.
Gal A
You seem to be missing the simple point, The DA falsely charged SMC Sheriff Deputy Juan Lopez.
I hope that helps.
The DA falsely charged SMC Sheriff Deputy Juan Lopez.
Says who? You or some slimy defense attorney? I watched OJ. They are low.
A trial will sort out the claims of some union attorney trying to spread his filth.
If innocent, they can testify and convince us taxpayers.
Gal A:
you seem to have a problem with our constitution and bill of rights. Per the fifth amendment, no one has to testify to testify and “convince us taxpayers.” In addition, our legal system is based upon a presumption of innocence and it is up to the DA to prove the charges they bring beyond a reasonable doubt. If they can’t the defendant is “not guilty.” Based on what I have seen and read of the so called evidence in this case the DA is going to have a hell of a time convincing a jury.
Gal A asks
Says who?
I Michael G. Stogner Victim’s Advocate who has attended every single court appearance in the Juan P. Lopez case.
I say it on the cell phone and drugs smuggled to a gang member in our jail by Juan P. Lopez.
ZERO Evidence.