Man Accused of Using Son, 9, in Drug Deal Enters Plea

A North Hollywood father who allegedly used his 9-year-old son as his drug courier and translator pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a half-dozen felony counts including using a minor to sell drugs.

Antoline Chaidez, 34, was ordered held on $75,000 bail by Los Angeles Municipal Court Commissioner Gerald Richardson. Chaidez is in custody at the Men’s Central Jail downtown.

If convicted on all charges, including possession and sale of heroin, Chaidez faces 13 years in state prison. His next court appearance, a preliminary hearing, is scheduled for Oct. 21 in San Fernando Municipal Court.

Lt. Bob Warren of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Narcotics Bureau said police arrested Chaidez Monday afternoon after he allegedly sold $20 worth of black tar heroin to an undercover officer in the parking lot of a Sun Valley fast-food restaurant, near Sunland Boulevard and San Fernando Road.

During the transaction, police said, the boy acted as a translator between the officer and Chaidez, who spoke no English. Warren said police believe the boy has acted as a courier for his father on other occasions too.

“We have information that he used his child when he went about the business of delivering his drugs,” Warren said. “We also have information the 9-year-old would carry the drugs while the two were traveling in the car together.” Chaidez had been under surveillance at least three days by the time he was arrested, authorities said.

Later, police searched the suspect’s residence in the 12000 block of Runnymede Street, where they recovered drug paraphernalia, Warren said.

The search also led to the arrests of two other men, Ismael and Jesus Lopez, ages 42 and 21, respectively, on suspicion of possessing a kilogram of cocaine, $6,200 in cash and two handguns, Warren said. The Lopez brothers are alleged drug suppliers, though their connection, if any, to Chaidez remains unclear, authorities said.

Warren said over the years he has seen dealers use their children by hiding their drugs in diaper bags or strollers. “But I’ve never seen a dealer act in concert with a child to distribute narcotics,” he said.

“He should have been in school,” Warren said. “Apparently, the father had just moved from East Los Angeles to North Hollywood and he hadn’t been enrolled in school yet. The boy thought he was on vacation.”