Federal Inmate Admits Possessing Contraband

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Loretto, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of attempting to obtain contraband in prison, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Douglas Vines, 45, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, on July 20, 2015, Vines attempted to obtain a quantity of suboxone.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for April 18, 2017, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 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 of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines, is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Correctional Institution, Special Investigative Staff, conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Vines.