James Byrd, Possessing Contraband, Pennsylvania 2020

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania - James Byrd, a 45-year-old inmate at the Allegheny County Jail, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of possessing contraband while in prison.

According to the two-count Indictment, Byrd was charged with possessing a cell phone, cigarettes, a JUUL vape pen, and a red cigarette lighter, while in custody, prohibited objects 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.

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.

Byrd's charges include possessing a cell phone, cigarettes, a JUUL vape pen, and a red cigarette lighter, all prohibited objects for inmates. The maximum sentence for this crime is 1 year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.00.

The case is currently pending in federal court. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/acj-inmate-charged-possessing-prohibited-objects