News Releases
February 25, 2025: District Attorney Hochman Announces Grand Jury Indictment Against 18 Individuals in Major Jail Drug Smuggling Operation
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The case is being prosecuted by LADA’s Prison Crimes Unit
LOS ANGELES — District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that 18 individuals — including Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Meiser — have been indicted by a Grand Jury for their alleged roles in a sophisticated drug smuggling operation involving Mexican Mafia associates inside the County jail system.
“Corruption and criminal activity will not be tolerated in our justice system — especially within our jails,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Ensuring that our correctional facilities remain secure and free of illicit drugs is crucial to public safety. Those entrusted with upholding the law must be held to the highest standards, and we will aggressively prosecute those who betray that trust.”
Beginning in February 2022, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force began investigating reports of narcotics being smuggled into the Los Angeles County Jail, as well as a violent attack of an inmate.
“I want to commend the Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force for their thorough investigation and the dedicated prosecutors and investigators in our Prison Crimes Unit, particularly Deputy-In-Charge Lou Avila and Deputy District Attorneys Abbigail Briones and Jessica Lansky, for their tireless work on this complex case,” District Attorney Hochman added. “Cleaning up our jail system is critical to breaking the cycle of crime that spills over into our communities. We will continue to root out corruption and ensure that those responsible for endangering public safety are held accountable.”
Access the indictment here. The pretrial hearing for all defendants is set for March 27, Dept. 109 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
Defendants 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.
Case 25CJCF00287 is being prosecuted by Deputy-In-Charge Lou Avila and Deputy District Attorneys Abbigail Briones and Jessica Lansky of LADA’s Prison Crimes Unit and was investigated by the Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force.
