Inmate Sentenced for Attempted K2 Smuggling in NH Prison

CONCORD, N.H. – John McLaurin, a 28-year-old inmate at FCI-Berlin, has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for attempting to possess a controlled substance within the prison.

According to documents filed with the court and statements made at the sentencing hearing, McLaurin attempted to smuggle synthetic cannabinoid, commonly referred to as K2, into the prison. On or about September 15, 2017, McLaurin placed a greeting card in the mail at the prison, which was intercepted by staff. Inside the card, prison staff found a note with detailed instructions for obtaining K2 and smuggling it into the prison.

McLaurin previously pleaded guilty to the charges on April 19, 2018. The Bureau of Prisons investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Donald A. Feith prosecuted it.

The case against McLaurin serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and smuggling within our nation’s prisons. As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to disrupt the supply chains of illicit substances, including K2.

U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, even behind bars. ‘Attempts to smuggle controlled substances into our prisons put the safety and well-being of inmates, staff, and the community at risk,’ Murray said.

The sentencing of McLaurin is a significant step in this effort. His actions demonstrate the lengths to which individuals will go to obtain and distribute illicit substances, even within the confines of a federal prison.

As the investigation into this case continues, it is clear that the consequences of attempting to smuggle K2 into a federal prison are severe. McLaurin’s sentence serves as a warning to others who would attempt to engage in similar behavior.