Narcotics Smuggling Into Riverside County Jails: 9 Arrests Announced

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA ? Amid concern that narcotics are being smuggled into Riverside County jails, on Wednesday the sheriff's department announced it arrested nine people following a two-month-long investigation involving drugs coming into lockup facilities.

The investigation that began in October determined inmates were coordinating with people on the outside to smuggle in fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl, equal to 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose.

The law enforcement agency announced the following arrests in the investigation:

• John Cox, a 38-year-old resident of Menifee (already in custody for other charges), conspiring to smuggle narcotics into a correctional facility.
• Richard Johnson, 30-year-old resident of Perris (already in-custody for other charges), conspiring to smuggle charges into a correctional facility.
• Francisco Rodriguez, 25-year-old resident of Riverside (already in custody for other charges), conspiracy to smuggle narcotics into a correctional facility.
• Antoinette Dudding, a 39-year-old resident of Riverside, transportation of narcotics, conspiring to smuggle narcotics into a correctional facility, child endangerment.
• Tabitha Longoria, a 23-year-old resident of Menifee, possession of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl, possession of narcotics for sale, and conspiring to smuggle narcotics into a correctional facility.
• Randy Carey, a 48-year-old resident of Homeland, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance, and violation of probation.
• Roy Earnest, a 40-year-old resident of San Jacinto, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance while armed, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of a ballistic vest.
• Matthew Smith, a 42-year-old resident of Moreno Valley, possession of stolen property, identity theft, and violation of probation.
• Wendy Wilson, a 45-year-old resident of Hemet, felony warrant for auto theft and possession of stolen property.

As part of the investigation, multiple search warrants were served. Deputies seized three handguns, a rifle, several hundred rounds of ammunition, a ballistic vest, fentanyl pills, brass knuckles, and 80 grams of methamphetamine, according to the sheriff's department.

In February, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced his office opened a civil rights investigation into the sheriff's department amid "concerning levels of in-custody deaths and allegations of misconduct" by the county's top law enforcement agency.

Over the last week alone, three in-custody deaths were reported. It's not clear if any involved narcotics.

In response to the allegations by Bonta, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco released a video statement. He called the patterns-and-practices probe a "political stunt" out of Sacramento.

In a news release this week, the sheriff's department said its mission is to prevent narcotics from getting into correctional facilities.

"The diligence of our deputies during searches, implementation of the nonintrusive sensor and scanning device known as the 'Tek-84,' and comprehensive criminal investigations such as this are among several measures the Riverside County Sheriff?s Office has taken to combat the supply of narcotics into our jail system," according to the agency.