Introduction to the Case
A Los Angeles County deputy probation officer faces felony charges for allegedly smuggling Xanax into Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall and then working with a youth in custody to sell it. The District Attorney’s Office announced the charges against the officer, Michael Angelo Solis, 59, on Tuesday, June 10.
Charges Against the Officer
Solis is being charged with the possession of alprazolam — commonly known Xanax— with the intent to sell it, for bringing the drugs into the juvenile hall and for conspiring with others to smuggle in and sell the drugs. “Trafficking illegal drugs to juveniles is unconscionable under any circumstances, let alone as a government employee taking advantage of vulnerable youth in need of guidance and support,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement.
Investigation and Evidence
The criminal complaint states that a juvenile connected Solis with a third person, identified only as “Co-conspirator B,” sometime between May 14, 2023, and July 26, 2023. Solis then made contact with that individual and, just days later, was seen on surveillance camera handing a small object to the juvenile. Another handoff was caught on camera in August, according to the complaint. The juvenile was found in possession of 106 alprazolam pills that same month, records showed.
Reaction from Authorities
In a statement, Probation Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa commended the “swift and thorough work” of the District Attorney’s Office and Probation Department’s internal affairs bureau for the arrest. “There is no room in this Department for anyone who violates the public trust and endangers the safety and well-being of the youth in our care,” Viera Rosa stated.
Background and Previous Incidents
The state forced the juvenile hall side of Barry J. Nidorf to shut down in July 2023, though a separate unit for youth sentenced for serious crimes, the Barry J. Nidorf Secure Youth Treatment Facility, continued and still operates today in the same building. The SYTF was under intense scrutiny at the time due to a series of nonfatal overdoses and the death of 18-year-old Bryan Diaz from fentanyl just days before Solis’ conspiracy allegedly began in May 2023.
Related Developments
The announcement of Solis’ arrest — and the revelation that he had been caught on camera — came the same day that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors ordered the Probation Department to develop a more active monitoring policy for its closed-circuit television system. The board recently approved a $2.7 million settlement with a youth who was beaten at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall while officers did nothing.
Future Plans and Compliance
Barry J. Nidorf is now a lynchpin in the Probation Department’s plan to bring Los Padrinos, which was ordered to close in December, back into compliance. A court-approved plan to reduce the population at Los Padrinos requires the department to reopen Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall to take a portion of the juveniles. The Board of State and Community Corrections, the state regulatory body overseeing California’s juvenile halls, was set to vote on whether Barry J. Nidorf can be used in that capacity again at its June 12 meeting.
Conclusion
The case of Michael Angelo Solis highlights the need for stringent security measures and monitoring within juvenile detention facilities to prevent the smuggling of drugs and ensure the safety and well-being of the youth in custody. The charges against Solis and the subsequent investigations underscore the importance of accountability and the commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the probation department.
FAQs
- Q: What are the charges against Michael Angelo Solis?
A: Solis is charged with the possession of alprazolam with the intent to sell it, for bringing the drugs into the juvenile hall, and for conspiring with others to smuggle in and sell the drugs. - Q: What is the potential punishment for Solis if convicted?
A: If convicted, Solis faces three years in prison. - Q: How did the investigation into Solis begin?
A: The investigation began after allegations surfaced, and the Probation Department worked closely with investigators. However, the exact start date of the investigation is unclear. - Q: What other incidents have occurred at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall?
A: There have been reports of nonfatal overdoses and the death of an 18-year-old from fentanyl, as well as lapses in security allowing drugs to be smuggled into the facility. - Q: What actions are being taken to improve security and monitoring at juvenile detention facilities?
A: The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has ordered the Probation Department to develop a more active monitoring policy for its closed-circuit television system to enhance security and accountability.
