4 TH federal prisoners face contraband weapon charges

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By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

Four inmates at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute have been indicted on contraband weapon charges.

Those indicted yesterday include:

• Robert B. Smith, 32, convicted of second-degree murder in the Western District of North Carolina.
• Orlando Garcia, Jr. 39, convicted of felon in possession of a firearm in the Southern District of Texas.
• Tony C. Hopkins, 53, convicted of possession of contraband in prison in the District of Colorado.
• Timothy Gonzalez, 26, convicted of felon in possession of a firearm in the Northern District of Illinois.

According to a press release, all defendants face up to five years imprisonment consecutive to their current sentence for the weapon charges.

The  inmates reportedly were found to be in possession of various weapons at the facility.

Officials allege Smith possessed a padlock attached to the end of a lanyard; Hopkins possessed a plastic knife; Garcia possessed a metal object; and Gonzalez possessed a lock attached to a sock.
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U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler, of the Southern District of Indiana, said there is a zero tolerance policy  for inmates who possess weapons in the Bureau of Prisons, noting it's to protect the correctional officers and other inmates.
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An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt.