PITTSBURGH - An inmate of the Allegheny County Jail has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of possessing contraband while in prison, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The two-count Indictment named James Byrd, age 45, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, Byrd was charged with possessing a cell phone, cigarettes, a JUUL vape pen, and a red cigarette lighter, while in custody, prohibited object for inmates, on July 22, 2020.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 1 year in prison, a fine not to exceed $100,000.00, a term of supervised release of not more than 1 year, or a combination thereof. 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin J. Risacher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Marshals Service 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
