ERIE — A resident of Erie pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal drug laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced on Friday.

Matthew Camera, 50, 1100 Wildwood Way, Erie, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from January 2017 to June 2020, while Camera was employed as the Pharmacy Chief at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Erie, he unlawfully obtained multiple dosage units of Hydrocodone and Oxycodone from pill bottles awaiting delivery to Veterans Affairs patients.

Baxter scheduled sentencing for March 22, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 4 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court placed Camera on bond. Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Camera.