George Ismael
The veteran correctional officer facing the most charges in a jail contraband conspiracy case in which an incarcerated Hells Angel allegedly arranged for cellphones and drugs to be smuggled inside pleaded not guilty Tuesday.
George Ismael, 40, is charged with conspiracy to bring an unauthorized communication device into the jail, conspiracy to obstruct justice, conspiracy to furnish controlled substances to in-custody inmates and a gang enhancement.
Prosecutors say three female relatives of inmate Dionicio Rafael Lopez Jr., 26, provided Ismael with Oxycontin and two cellphones which he then smuggled into the Maguire Correctional Facility.
The women — Leticia Lopez, 55, Amanda Lopez, 25, and Rosanne Ingebretsen, 28 — also face charges in the case as do fellow correctional officer Michael Del Carlo and sheriff’s Deputy Juan Pablo Lopez.
On Tuesday, Ismael pleaded not guilty to his charges and was ordered back to court Dec. 19 to set a preliminary hearing date. Each of the defendants arrested last month have been arraigned at different times so the goal is getting them matched up on the same schedule for a preliminary hearing and eventually trial, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
Meanwhile, Ismael remains free from custody on $100,000 bail.
Defense attorney Erin Dervin declined to comment on her client’s case.
Dionicio Lopez was in custody awaiting trial on assault and gun charges for allegedly shooting into a Daly City home that he erroneously thought housed a rival but instead held two young children.
Between April 2013 and December 2013, Dionicio Lopez, Del Carlo and Juan Lopez allegedly conspired with the women to sneak in the contraband. An internal tip at the jail and discovery of a phone during a cell search reportedly prompted the 10-month investigation which began within the Sheriff’s Office and was transferred to the District Attorney’s Office because Juan Lopez was running against Sheriff Greg Munks in the June primary.
Juan Lopez, 50, is a 26-year employee who transfers inmates. Ismael has 15 years of service as a correctional officer and Del Carlo, 43, has 19 years. At least one of the officers received payment for helping, according to prosecutors.
All three are on administrative leave.
(650) 344-5200 ext. 102
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