Related Federal Cases
- Buffalo Resident Gianetti Sentenced for Steroid Smuggling · Pennsylvania
- Rochester Man Copped to Peddling Fake Gold Coins · Pennsylvania
- Drug Kingpin ‘Nostradamus’ Gets Over 17 Years for Cocaine Smuggling · New York
- Dominican Republic Native Sentenced to 6.5 Years for $2M Heroin Smuggling · Pennsylvania
- Bank Boss Caught Laundering $5M PPP Scam · Pennsylvania
Rochester Woman Caught Smuggling Pot into Prison
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A Rochester woman has been caught red-handed smuggling marijuana into a federal prison, and now she’s facing up to five years behind bars. Shanna Nix, 24, pleaded guilty to providing contraband to an inmate at a federal correctional institution before U.S. District Court Judge Frank P. Geraci.
Nix was visiting a friend who was an inmate at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania. During that visit, she was caught on surveillance video placing four balloons filled with marijuana into a bag of food she was sharing with the inmate. However, before the inmate could ingest the balloons, corrections officers intercepted them.
The defendant was originally indicted in the Western District of Pennsylvania, but the case was transferred to the Western District of New York for the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant’s actions were a serious breach of trust and a threat to the safety and security of the prison.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Nix’s sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci. This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of smuggling contraband into our prisons and the consequences that come with it.
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. said, ‘The smuggling of contraband into our prisons is a serious offense that can have devastating consequences. We will continue to work tirelessly to prevent these types of crimes and bring those responsible to justice.’
Nix’s actions were a clear violation of the trust placed in her as a visitor to the prison. Her guilty plea is a step in the right direction, but it’s also a reminder that the consequences of her actions will be severe. We can only hope that this case will serve as a warning to others who would consider engaging in similar behavior.
The Western District of New York will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to prevent and investigate crimes such as this one. We urge anyone with information about prison contraband smuggling to come forward and report it to the authorities.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
