Texas Woman Accused of Smuggling Fentanyl into PA Prison

A Texas woman has been charged with attempting to smuggle fentanyl into a Pennsylvania prison, authorities announced.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Feniqua Walker, 30, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Julian Beavers, 37, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary in Canaan (USP Canaan), Wayne County, Pennsylvania, were indicted on May 28, 2024, by a federal grand jury on charges for attempting to provide fentanyl to an inmate at USP Canaan.

Julian Beavers, the 37-year-old inmate, attempted to possess the fentanyl, which was allegedly smuggled into the prison by Walker between January 13, 2023 and April 13, 2023. The indictment alleges that Beavers and Walker conspired to provide the illicit substance to an inmate at the prison.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Special Investigative Services Unit at USP Canaan. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenn P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for each offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

The case highlights the ongoing problem of contraband smuggling into federal prisons, which poses a significant threat to the safety and security of both inmates and correctional officers.