People v. Alvarado CA2/1

BACKGROUND

On January 29, 2023, Los Angeles Police Department Officers Kevin Ramos and Adrian Ponce positioned their patrol car outside Alvarado’s motel room and instructed him to exit the room and surrender. He did so approximately six minutes later and was transported to the Van Nuys jail, where he was handcuffed to a bench in a holding area for about 30 minutes prior to being taken to the jail proper. After Alvarado was in the holding area for 30 minutes, the officers conducted a strip search that produced a clear plastic bag containing 3.41 grams of methamphetamine that Alvarado had secreted in his anal cavity. Police testified to these facts at trial. Alvarado was convicted of violating Penal Code section 1 4573 and sentenced to the mid term of three years in prison.

DISCUSSION

Alvarado contends insufficient evidence supports the conviction because no evidence established he intentionally brought the packet containing methamphetamine into the county jail. This is so, he argues, because no evidence established he

1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.

2 was given an advance advisement or warning regarding the prohibition against bringing contraband…