Prison Guard Lakesha Stith and Others Face Racketeering Charges

Johnstow,n Pa.—Federal prosecutors have dropped the hammer on Lakesha Stith, 45, of Johnstown, and nine others for a sprawling racketeering scheme at Cambria County Prison. The acting United States Attorney, Troy Rivetti, announced the indictments, which charge Stith with leading a conspiracy involving bribery, money laundering, and drug trafficking.

Stith, a correctional officer, is accused of accepting bribes from inmates Mikal Davis, 48; James Johnson-Ross, 26; Marcos Monarrez Jr., 26; Blake Young, 36; Asiah Young-Atwell, 30; and Carlos Zamora, 29. These inmates are charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and money laundering.

The Indictment reveals that Stith, along with medical staff nurse Ashley Aguilar, 26, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Jessica Niebauer, 34, of Altoona, Pa., orchestrated the smuggling of contraband like K2, THC, Suboxone, phones, and cigarettes into the prison. The contraband was concealed in lunch bags and delivered to various locations, including private examination rooms, storage closets, and inmate cells.

According to Rivetti, Stith’s role was not limited to facilitating the smuggling. She is also accused of engaging in inappropriate relationships with some inmates and warning them about upcoming cell searches and internal security matters. The co-conspirators sold contraband items at substantial profits, with phones fetching up to $10,000 each.

“It is extremely dangerous when individuals employed within our prison systems choose to abuse their authority,” Rivetti said. “We will ensure that this criminal abuse of trust is prosecuted.” The full Indictment can be viewed here.