Deputy Accused of Smuggling Heroin in Burrito Pleads No Contest

LA Deputy who washed out of reality TV show was indicted in a drug smuggling conspiracy

A LA County Sheriff's deputy accused of trying to smuggle a heroin-laden burrito to an inmate in a courthouse lockup faces up to four years in state prison when he's sentenced on June 25.

Henry Marin, 27, pleaded no contest on Monday to one count each of bringing drugs into a jail and conspiracy to commit a crime, according to Deputy District Attorney Amy Pellman Pentz.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Anne Egerton is expected to hear arguments from both sides June 25 before deciding what sentence to impose.

The case is notable not only because of Marin’s former status as a deputy, but because he washed out of the hit reality TV series “The Academy.”

Court Documents: Read the Indictment

The indictment says that Marin allegedly tried to smuggle a heroin-laden burrito into the Airport Branch Courthouse “for Alvarez” on Feb. 23, 2010, according to a LA County Grand Jury Indictment that alleged the conspiracy began on Jan. 27 of that year.

Two years later, an arrest warrant was drawn up and Marin surrendered to deputies on Jan. 11. He was relieved of duty.

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Marin was part of recruit Class 355 in the Fox reality TV show, “The Academy,” which takes viewers behind-the-scenes of an 18-week training course at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Academy.

During Day 1 Orientation, Marin was caught dozing off and a drill instructor commented that if Marin couldn't keep his act together on the first day, he wouldn’t have the discipline to work in law enforcement.

Marin washed out of the class after failing a test on role scenarios. He was one of the 24 recruits in the class of 111 who washed out.

Marin was allowed to re-enroll and successfully completed the academy, said Sheriff’s Deputy Guillermina Saldana, a spokeswoman. Marin was hired by the department in 2006 and was assigned to the Court Services Division at the time of the alleged drug smuggling incident, officials said.

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