A former guard at McKean County Jail has pleaded guilty to
federal charges involving trafficking cocaine while possessing a
loaded firearm.

According to court records from the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of New York in Buffalo, Melvin Isaac of Bradford
pleaded guilty July 31 in front of U.S. District Judge William M.
Skretny to a charge of possession with intent to distribute and
distribution of cocaine.

Isaac was a corrections officer at the McKean County Jail in
Smethport from Aug. 29, 2005, until he failed to appear for work
March 17 and 18. His employment was terminated for failure to
appear for work with no explanation of his whereabouts, according
to Michele Alfieri, county human resources director.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Martin Littlefield provided a copy of
the plea agreement Tuesday that Isaac entered into in the case. The
agreement describes the conduct Isaac admitted to in the plea.

“On March 16 … (in Olean, N.Y.) the defendant agreed with
Michael West and others to possess with intent to distribute and to
distribute quantities of cocaine,” the agreement reads.
“Specifically, (Isaac) purchased two ounces of cocaine from other
people, and after acquiring the cocaine, sold an ounce to Michael
West while reserving the remaining one ounce for future sale.

“At the time of the sale of the cocaine to Michael West, the
defendant had under his control and possession a loaded Glock hand
gun,” the agreement reads.

The 9mm handgun, which was seized by the FBI upon Isaac’s
arrest, was forfeited as part of the agreement.

The sentencing range the U.S. attorney’s office agreed to
recommend was a term of imprisonment of 18 to 24 months, a fine of
$4,000 to $1 million and three years of supervised release.
However, “upon condition that (Isaac) has fully complied with all
terms and conditions of this agreement, should the government
determine (Isaac) has provided substantial assistance in the
investigation or prosecution of other persons who have committed
offenses,” the U.S. attorney’s office will move for a reduced
sentence.

That sentence would be 15 to 21 months imprisonment, the
agreement reads. The maximum penalty allowed for under the law
would be 20 years imprisonment.

The agreement also reads that at the time of sentencing, the
U.S. attorney’s office will move to dismiss additional charges that
are pending against Isaac. There is no mention of what the charges
are or what allegations led to the charges.

Isaac will be sentenced on the drug charge at 9 a.m. Dec. 7 in
U.S. District Court in Buffalo.

According to the criminal affidavit filed by FBI Agent Peter
Langrish in the case, on March 16, Isaac sold the cocaine while in
his vehicle in a public parking lot in Olean while the vehicle was
under surveillance by law enforcement.

After the sale was completed, Isaac drove away and was followed
by the officers. When his vehicle failed to stop at a red light,
officers pulled him over on Wayne Street. The vehicle was searched
and one ounce of cocaine and a handgun were found, the affidavit
read.