Federal Inmate Charged With Possessing Heroin

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution at Loretto, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of contraband in prison, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The indictment named Carlos Alberto Prieto, 47, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on Mar. 19, 2013, Prieto was in possession of heroin.

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 U.S. 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 indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.