Man arrested for trying to bring drugs into jail

“The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to providing a safe and secure custodial environment for our staff, visitors and those in our custody,” Sheriff Christina Corpus said in a press release. “I commend our deputies for their quick and decisive actions in preventing illicit drugs from entering the facility.” 

Siordia is on active felony probation, previously incarcerated in San Mateo County, which means he was required to receive approval before returning to the facility, according to the press release. 

Siordia did not obtain this necessary approval, and was arrested for being on the premises. The drugs were found after the arrest, according to the press release. 

Siordia was arrested and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility for five charges. 

Siordia’s visit followed the death of an incarcerated person in the Maple Street Correctional Center Monday morning. The individual was identified as 31-year-old Markeisha Monique Renee Blount, a resident of Stockton, according to the Coroner’s Office. Blount was found experiencing a “medical emergency” and pronounced dead at the facility. The cause of death is still under investigation.

Blount was the seventh to die in custody at San Mateo County jails since January 2023. Most recently was Kyle Harrison, who died in March from an overdose. Drugs were involved in three of the seven deaths, as known so far.

The county jails also were the scene of a 30-person brawl that broke out among incarcerated individuals at the Maguire Correctional Facility the morning of Sept. 26. The fight left multiple inmates and correctional officers injured, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Unions representing the correctional officers, deputies and sergeants within the Sheriff’s Office have raised concerns over an overworked and strained staff that is a potential threat to staff and inmate safety. Corpus maintains that the jails are adequately staffed.