A former correctional officer at the Federal Corrections Institution Gilmer has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from inmates in exchange for smuggling contraband into the facility. Hector Lopez, 41, of Weston, West Virginia, admitted to bribery of a public official.
According to court documents, Lopez received $40,000 in payments from or on behalf of inmates as compensation for bringing prohibited items into the prison. The plea agreement outlines these details.
Lopez could face up to 15 years in federal prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar. The investigation was conducted by the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the proceedings.
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