CAMDEN - An inmate of the Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix (FCI Fort Dix), 10 years away from completing his sentence for a child pornography conviction, faces 10 to 20 extra years, for having more of it inside the prison.

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Erik M. Smith, 36, of Iron Mountain, Michigan, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography through use of a contraband micro SD card. His tentative parole date would have been March 26, 2027, according to the office of Acting New Jersey U.S. Prosecutor William E. Fitzpatrick.

Smith and four other federal inmates were arrested at the prison on April 26, charged with distributing images and videos of child sexual abuse within the facility, using smuggled cell phones and micro SD cards, and also selling, and possessing with intent to sell, the images on federal property, and conspiracy to commit the crimes.

Charges are still pending against Anthony Jeffries, 32, of Orange, Virginia; Brian J. McKay, 46, of Brookhaven, Pennsylvania; Jordan T. Allen, 30, of Plain City, Ohio; and Christopher Roffler, 30, of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

In a Camden federal courtroom, Smith admitted having a 16-gigabyte micro SD card containing 263 lewd images, including 213 of children, downloaded from a cloud account on other inmates' behalf.

The previous conviction increases to 20 years the maximum allowable sentence for his guilty plea, authorities said. He also risks a $250,000 fine.Sentencing is scheduled for February 13, 2018.

Smith was represented in court by Mount Holly attorney Mark W. Catanzaro. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gabriel Vidoni and Alyson M. Oswald presented the government's case.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.

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