Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Controlled Substances in Prison

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on October 30, 2024, to charges of possession of contraband in prison, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Lafon Ellis, 30, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Ellis, while a federal inmate housed at the Allegheny County Jail, possessed various controlled substances on May 3, 2023, and again on December 10, 2023.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for February 20, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of the Allegheny County Police, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ellis.