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If convicted as charged, Alejandro Lopez and Orlando Cuevas face up to three years in state prison

DOWNEY, CA — A civilian contract tutor for incarcerated youth has been charged with multiple felonies for allegedly working with a young adult ward to smuggle a controlled substance into Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. The ward has also been charged with a felony in connection with the case.

“Our juvenile facilities must remain secure, drug-free environments where young people have a real chance at rehabilitation,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “That responsibility applies to everyone — whether it’s a contractor on the outside or a youth on the inside. Anyone who participates in smuggling narcotics into these facilities will be held accountable. We will not allow illegal drugs to threaten the safety of our institutions or the futures of those entrusted to our care.”

Alejandro Lopez (dob 8/2/03) of Downey, an employee of the nonprofit organization Student Nest, is charged with one felony count each of bringing or sending a controlled substance into a juvenile hall or camp and possession for sale of a designated controlled substance. It is further alleged that Lopez induced others to participate in the commission of the crimes.

Lopez pleaded not guilty during his arraignment July 1 at the Downey Courthouse. His preliminary hearing setting is set for July 15 in Department J of the Norwalk Courthouse. The Court denied the People’s request to set bail at $25,000, and the defendant was released on his own recognizance.

Orlando Cuevas (dob 10/10/06) of Long Beach was charged with one felony count of unlawful possession for sale of a designated controlled substance. He will be arraigned at a later date. Bail for Cuevas has been recommended at $25,000.

On June 30, 2025, investigators from the Los Angeles County Probation Department observed Lopez allegedly hand Cuevas an electrical tape-wrapped bundle containing approximately 170 Xanax pills.

If convicted as charged, Lopez and Cuevas face up to three years in state prison.

The case comes on the heels of felony charges filed against Los Angeles County Deputy Probation Officer Michael Solis, who is accused of conspiring to bring alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, into Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar in 2023.

Case 25DWCF00841 is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kristopher Gay of the Justice System Integrity Division and was investigated by the Intelligence and Investigative Services Unit of the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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