The Riverside Sheriff’s Corrections Investigation Bureau announced on March 27 that two suspects were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into narcotics smuggling at the Cois Byrd Detention Center. The arrests followed a months-long inquiry that began in November 2024, focusing on members of the public allegedly working with inmates to bring drugs into the facility through the United States Postal Service.
Authorities said search warrants were served at locations in Hemet and Murrieta with assistance from several law enforcement units, including the Gang Intelligence Unit, Alternative Sentencing Program, Corrections K-9 Team, Hemet Gang Taskforce, and Riverside County PACT Team. During these operations, Carley Crofts of Hemet and Miguel Armenta of Murrieta were taken into custody without incident and booked for charges related to smuggling narcotics into jail.
Investigators identified Saul Arevalo from Bloomington and Daniel Morales from Cathedral City as inmates who received the narcotics. Evidence connected to the case was seized during searches. Officials stated that “this investigation will be submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution of smuggling narcotics into a jail and conspiracy.” They also noted that it remains ongoing with no further details available at this time.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized its continued efforts to prevent drugs from entering correctional facilities through measures such as thorough searches, use of scanning technology like “OD Security Soter RS,” educational programs for inmates about drug dangers—especially fentanyl—and criminal investigations like this one. Inmate education is provided by Detention Health Services Division staff.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Investigator Brett Devine or Correctional Deputy Gerald Dye. Media inquiries can be directed to MIB@riversidesheriff.org.
