A half dozen former and current Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputies who were accused of trying to thwart a federal investigation have been found guilty in a court of law.

Each had been charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy for their part in trying to hide a jail inmate who had been working with the FBI.  They were even accused of trying to intimate a federal agent.

A spokesperson for the court said that while the final sentence won't be handed down for a few weeks, each of the named defendants is facing up to 15 years behind bars.

Two of those named in the suit could get an additional five years since they were found guilty of making false statements.  Sentenced inmates are required to serve their time; they're not eligible to be released on bail bonds.

The jurors said they did not take their deliberations lightly.

Not only is the verdict a devastating blow to the county, it's equally harsh on the LASD.

Sheriff's department candidate Jim McDonnell points out that his rival in the November election, current Undersheriff Paul Tanaka, is still being scrutinized by the feds.

How the whole mess started

The case itself grew out of several alleged incidents that took place in the Men's Central Jail back in 2011, and it all started when jailers found a contraband cell phone.

And as soon as they realized the inmate who had it was working as an FBI informant, they began shuffling him through the system using a series of fake names.  They even ignored a court order to produce him for judicial proceedings.

When that didn't work they showed up at the home of a federal agent, threatening to arrest her for bringing the cell phone into the jail in the first place.

The LASD denied the whole thing, saying the only reason the inmate was transferred from place to place was to protect him.

The judge, it would seem, just didn't buy it.

Read the full story here:  LA jail scandal: All 6 Sheriff's Department officials found guilty on all counts