Several staff members, along with some inmates at the Cambria County Prison, are facing federal racketeering charges in regards to an alleged contraband smuggling scheme. According to a federal indictment, 10 individuals were named as defendants including 45-year-old Lakesha Stith, and 30-year-old Asiah Young-Atwell, both from Johnstown, and both employed at the prison. Reportedly Stith, and Young-Atwell allegedly accepted bribes from inmates from July to December of 2023, which included intimate relationships with the inmates, in exchange for smuggling contraband into the facility. The contraband reportedly included controlled substances, cell phones, and tools. Officials say the inmates, one being 26-year-old James Ross of Altoona, then allegedly used the smuggled phones to coordinate additional contraband operations with others outside of Cambria County, including 34-year-old Jessica Niebauer of Altoona. The federal indictment further adds the contraband was sold to other inmates for a substantial profit. All individuals named in the indictment are facing charges that include racketeering, acts of bribery conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and other related counts. Authorities with the United States Attorney’s Office say each individual charged could face up to 20 years behind bars.
Monday 9th February 2026
