Fisher identified the defendant as Christopher R. Hohney, 24, of 731 E.
Market St., York. Hohney was employed as a Community Corrections Center
monitor at the York Community Corrections Center, 317 West Market St., York,
since May 1994. He was responsible for signing inmates in and out of the
center. Hohney is suspended without pay, pending further investigation and
disciplinary action by the Department of Corrections.

Fisher said his office initiated its investigation based on a referral from
the Department of Corrections. "This arrest is the result of cooperation
between my office and the Department of Corrections," said Fisher. "Working
together, we were able to quickly put together an operation that led to the
arrest of the suspect."

"We are always saddened when one of our staff betrays our trust and that of
the taxpayers," Horn said. "I believe that Pennsylvania has the finest
corrections employees in the nation, but criminal and unethical behavior by
any of our staff will not be tolerated."

Horn also expressed his appreciation to Attorney General Fisher and his staff
for their assistance. "After Attorney General Fisher was informed of the
investigation initiated by our staff, he provided the additional resources
that resulted in Hohney's arrest," Horn said.

Fisher said according to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the
criminal complaint, BNI agents received information from an exinmate at the
center that Hohney allegedly received drugs from the inmate in exchange for
favors.

BNI agents, with assistance from Department of Corrections officials, placed
a package of simulated cocaine treated with detection powder only visible to
black light in a hiding place at the center. The exinmate, who cooperated
in the investigation, called Hohney and asked him to get the cocaine and give
it to a friend that was going to stop by the center on Wednesday evening
(July 23), said Fisher.

Last night, an undercover BNI agent, posing as the exinmate's friend,
arrived at the center and asked Hohney for the cocaine, Fisher said. Hohney
allegedly had the drugs in his possession and detection powder on his hands
and clothes.

After Hohney's arrest, Horn said the center was locked down so Department of
Corrections security teams and drugsniffing K9 units could thoroughly
search the facility. No drugs were found, and the center has returned to
normal operations.

Fisher said Hohney is charged with one count of criminal attempt to possess a
controlled substance. He was arraigned before York District Justice Barbara
Nixon and is being held in York County Prison in lieu of $2,500 bail.

Fisher noted that York County District Attorney Stanley Rebert's office will
prosecute the case.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Attorney General

CO: Pennsylvania Attorney General

ST: Pennsylvania

IN:

SU:

07/24/97 17:42 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com