Richard Joe Pruitt, Contraband Possession, West Virginia 2018

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – In a shocking turn of events, inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution in Morgantown, West Virginia, have been caught with a stash of contraband. Richard Joe Pruitt, a 26-year-old inmate, and John Joseph Kopp, a 44-year-old inmate, were both charged with multiple counts of contraband possession.

The indictment, which was announced by U.S. Attorney Bill Powell, states that Pruitt and Kopp were in possession of suboxone, alcohol, and two cell phones inside the prison in December 2018. The charges against the two inmates include possession of a prohibited object (narcotic), possession of a prohibited object (cellular telephone), and possession of a prohibited object (alcohol).

Both Pruitt and Kopp are facing up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the narcotics count. They also face up to one year of incarceration and a fine of up to $200,000 for each of the alcohol and cell phone counts.

The investigation into the contraband possession was led by the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigation Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

It's worth noting that an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Richard Joe Pruitt and John Joseph Kopp are accused of having suboxone, alcohol, and two cell phones inside FCI Morgantown in December 2018. Pruitt, age 26, and Kopp, age 44, are each facing serious charges with significant penalties.

According to the indictment, Pruitt and Kopp could face up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the narcotics count. They also face up to one year of incarceration and a fine of up to $200,000 for each of the alcohol and cell phone counts.

In the United States, having contraband in a prison is a serious offense. The Bureau of Prisons takes these cases very seriously and works closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute those involved.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/two-inmates-fci-morgantown-indicted-contraband