CORRECTIONAL OFFICER CHARGED WITH PROVIDING PROHIBITED ITEMS TO INMATES
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, June 15, 2009, a criminal Information has been filed in federal court in Johnstown charging Ryan J. Spicher, of Dubois, Pennsylvania, with providing prohibited objects to inmates while employed as a correctional officer at Moshannon Valley Correctional Center.
The one-count Information named Spicher, age 28, as the sole defendant.
According to the Information filed with the court by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines, from in or around January 2007, to on or about August 31, 2007, Spicher, while serving as a correctional officer at the Moshannon Valley Correctional Center, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, knowingly provided to inmates prohibited objects, which included muscle enhancers, cigarettes, an MP3 player, a cell phone and a cell phone charger.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of six months in prison, a fine of $5,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The United States Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the filing of the Information in this case.
An Information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
# # #