Yuba County Correctional Officer Arrested for Allegedly Smuggling Contraband into Jail
MARYSVILLE, CA — “A correctional officer with the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office was arrested following an investigation that revealed the smuggling of contraband cell phones into the facility.
At approximately 6:45 a.m. on July 28, 2025, Officer Martin Palacios Lugo was taken into custody and charged with 68 PC- bribery, 182(a)(1) PC- criminal conspiracy and 4575(a) PC- possession of wireless communication device in a correctional facility. The arrest follows an investigation conducted by our Detectives Division and Problem Oriented Policing Unit.
The investigation began on July 24, 2025, after intelligence suggested unauthorized cell phones were circulating among inmates. YCSO personnel conducted a search of the facility and located two cell phones hidden in a housing unit. Evidence pointed to the involvement of Officer Palacios Lugo possibly distributing these cell phones. Upon Palacios Lugo’s return to work, detectives executed a search warrant on Palacios Lugo and his vehicle at the Jail. Located pursuant to the search warrant were 3 cell phones and over two thousand dollars in cash.
‘I was saddened to learn about this betrayal of trust and disregard for the safety of our staff and those in our care,’ said Sheriff Anderson. ‘Law Enforcement is a crucial component of our modern society and when situations like this occur it is damaging to the trust that we all work so hard to develop and maintain with our citizens, our staff, and those whom we are sworn to protect. I am proud of the way in which our staff handled this investigation and know the actions of one do not reflect on the hard work of so many men and women who wear our badge. Fortunately, no one was hurt due to this crime, and I’m confident that justice will be served.’
Palacios Lugo has resigned his employment with the Sheriff’s Office and the case remains under active investigation.”
