Former FCI Gilmer Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty To Accepting Bribes

Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 7:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ELKINS, W.VA.- Last Thursday, a 41-year-old Weston, West Virginia, man and former corrections officer at the Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer, learned he will be facing up to 15 years in federal prison, when sentenced later this year, after pleading guilty to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to smuggle contraband in to the federal prison.

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Hector Lopez, 41, of Weston, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi to Bribery of a Public Official.

Lopez Will Be Facing Up To 15 Years When Sentenced Later This Year

     Following entering his guilty plea last Thursday, Judge Aloi accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for a time and date to be determined by the District Court. When sentenced, Lopez will face up to 15 years in federal prison, at least two years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. When sentenced, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Lopez’s prior criminal history, if any.

     According to the charging documents filed with the District Court, Lopez, a former corrections officer who was employed at the Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer located in Glenville, West Virginia, engaged in a pattern of smuggling operations in exchange for financial benefits. In total, Lopez accepted $40,000 in payments from or on behalf of federal inmates as payment for smuggling numerous items into the Federal Correctional Institution.

     Acting U.S. Attorney Bernard commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, which led to Lopez’s guilty plea on Thursday.