Four inmates plead not guilty to having contraband in prison

Four current inmates of Texarkana’s Federal Correctional Institution entered pleas of not guilty Thursday to possessing contraband in prison.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven called the cases of three men accused of possessing synthetic marijuana while at FCI Texarkana on different dates and in separate incidents together for arraignment. Craven appointed Texarkana lawyer Jeff Harrelson to represent Ervin Boyce, 39; Texarkana lawyer Craig Henry to represent George Howard, 39; and Texarkana lawyer Matthew Golden to represent Andy Schuman, 35, at a hearing Thursday morning in Texarkana’s downtown federal building.

Craven appointed Texarkana lawyer David Crisp to represent Salvador Tamayo, 26, who is accused of possessing an Alcatel cell phone April 6. Tamayo faces up to a year in prison and a fine up to $100,000 if convicted. The inmate defendants accused of possessing synthetic marijuana face up to 10 additional years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 if convicted.

Any sentence imposed for contraband possession must be served consecutively to the term the men were serving at the time of the new alleged offense. Tamayo’s current projected release date is May 17, 2026; Howard’s is Nov. 24, 2027; Boyce’s is Jan. 25, 2020 and Schuman’s is June 5, 2019, according to the Bureau of Prisons website.

Craven scheduled all four men for jury trials in July before U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas. Craven imposed a 3 p.m., June 27 deadline for the defendants to notify the court if they wish to change their plea.

All are being held in FCI Texarkana.