Pitchess MP arrested on drug charges

In response to questions asked May 2 about the arrest of a deputy who worked at the Pitchess Detention Center, a Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman issued a statement Tuesday confirming the arrest of an LASD employee.

“The department’s internal criminal investigation office has launched an investigation into allegations against an employee. “We arrested the employee on felony charges on April 30,” said an email from Nicole Nishida, communications manager for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, on Tuesday.

“The employee is relieved of his duties until the process is completed,” she added. “This is an ongoing investigation. Once completed, the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.”

Michael Meiser, 39, was arrested following an investigation by LASD’s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau, according to custody records available online.

He was arrested at 5:15 p.m. on April 30 and booked into the SCV Sheriff’s Station Jail at 1 a.m. on May 1. No information about his release was available in the department’s online records.

His indictment listed suspicion of violating California Penal Code Section 4573(a), a felony involving a person bringing a controlled substance into a prison.

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials referred all questions to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Nishida declined Tuesday to confirm Meiser’s identity or employment status and directed The Signal to file a request under the Public Records Act. The department takes months to process such requests.

A representative from the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs said the organization is aware that an investigation is underway that may involve multiple deputies.

“We are aware that one or more employees working in our prisons are under criminal investigation,” said an emailed statement Tuesday attributed to ALADS President Richard Pippin. “All law enforcement personnel are rightly held to high standards, both on and off duty. ALADS will wait until we have access to all information obtained through the investigation before making further comment.”

The Signal was made aware of the investigation last week, and when interviewed, department officials said they would hold off on releasing any information about the situation, saying it was an active, ongoing investigation.