New York Man Provided Contraband To Federal Inmate

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Newark, New York pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of providing contraband in a federal prison, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Mirelis Lopez, 32, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on February 3, 2013, Lopez provided a quantity of marijuana to an inmate at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for April 28, 2014. The law provides for a total sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Officers of the McKean Federal Correctional Institution conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lopez.