WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Townsend, age 40, and Geraldo Rodriguez Diaz, age 27, inmates at the United States Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCC Allenwood), White Deer, Pennsylvania, were charged in a criminal information on August 10, 2021, for possessing contraband in prison.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the criminal information alleges that Townsend and Rodriguez Diaz were each found in possession of cellular telephones on May 10, 2021.
The charges stem from an investigation by officers at FCC Allenwood and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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.
The defendants face a maximum of one year of incarceration and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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