Jose Santos Pardo, 25, of Homestead, has pleaded guilty to possession of contraband by a federal inmate, Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced. Santos Pardo faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing date is yet to be determined.
A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment against Santos Pardo on March 18, 2025.
According to court records, the incident occurred in 2022 while Santos Pardo was an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman). He was housed in a low-security section of the prison where inmates are not confined by fencing.
READ: Florida Doctor Sentenced To 12 Years For Illegal Drug Distribution, Obstruction
On the night of November 19, 2022, a correctional officer observed Santos Pardo running along the side of the road towards his housing unit carrying two duffle bags and a trash bag. Federal Bureau of Prisons staff confronted Santos Pardo and searched the bags. The search revealed that the bags contained various contraband items, including drugs, tobacco, several bottles of alcohol, and 14 cellphones.
During an interview with law enforcement, Santos Pardo admitted to picking up the bags from the road to bring them back to his housing unit. These items are prohibited for FCC Coleman inmates because they pose a threat to the order, discipline, and security of the prison, as well as the life, health, and safety of federal prisoners and staff.
READ: 2 Men Arrested In Big Pine Key Child Neglect Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson is prosecuting the case.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
