A former corrections officer pleaded guilty Thursday to smuggling drugs, alcohol and phones into a federal lockup in downtown Los Angeles in exchange for cash bribes and a Chevrolet Tahoe.
Samuel Morales was arrested after he was searched June 1 during enhanced security screening at the Metropolitan Detention Center, and a vial of cocaine was discovered hidden on his body, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Subsequent to arrest, Morales was also found to have a bag of an unidentified rock-like substance, a bag of unidentified green pills and multiple SIM phone cards hidden in his underwear, authorities said.
He pleaded guilty Thursday in Los Angeles federal court to charges of receiving a bribe by a public official and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. A judge set sentencing for Dec. 4.
Morales admitted in his plea agreement that on five separate occasions from November 2024 to June 1, 2025, he smuggled various prohibited items, including drugs, alcohol and phones, into the lockup and then handed them over to inmates in exchange for cash and a vehicle.
In February, the former U.S. Bureau of Prisons employee accepted a white 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe with a value exceeding $25,000 as payment for smuggling contraband into the detention center, federal prosecutors stated.
Morales faces a possible prison sentence of up to 35 years, lifetime supervised release and a fine of $1.2 million, according to the DOJ.
Morales’ attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.