FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
September 29, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov

FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that today a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Bandele Jones, 39, an inmate housed at the United States Penitentiary in Atwater (USPA), and Oronde Jones, 40, of Charleston, W.Va., with conspiracy to unlawfully provide drugs to a federal inmate.

According to court records, Bandele Jones and Oronde Jones conspired to smuggle heroin into the USPA.

This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Yasin Mohammad is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the prison drug crimes, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Bandele’s sentence would add prison time to the term he is serving for a previous conviction of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (crack). The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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