Sherman Oaks Lawyer Pleads Not Guilty to Smuggling Heroin Into Jail

A Sherman Oaks lawyer charged with trying to smuggle heroin into a Los Angeles County jail near Castaic pleaded not guilty Wednesdayday to five felony counts.

Stephen Beecher, 62, is charged with one count each of bringing drugs into jail, transportation of heroin and bringing a firearm into a jail, along with two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime.

Also charged are Beecher's client, Jesus Antonio Duenas, 20, and Duenas' girlfriend, Jessica Paredes, 19, who pleaded not guilty to two counts each of conspiracy to commit a crime.

The three are due back in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 9, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require them to stand trial.

Duenas allegedly arranged with an "unknown female co-conspirator to bring in narcotics," via Beecher, for himself and the ring that controls illegal activity in jails, according to the criminal complaint.

Paredes allegedly ironed and flattened two packages of heroin, then agreed to meet the attorney to give him a greeting card containing a little more than 36 grams of heroin valued at $30,000, according to the criminal complaint.

Beecher -- who was booked April 9 in connection with the charges -- faces up to 11 years in state prison if convicted, while Duenas and Paredes would each face a maximum of nine years behind bars, according to the District Attorney's Office.