Two people pleaded guilty in federal court in Erie for allegations that occurred in the local area.

One was a St. Marys man accused of possessing child port, and the other was an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution-McKean, Lafayette, who was accused of possessing contraband.

According to U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady, Jeffrey S. Beimel, 30, of 546 Vine Road, St. Marys, pleaded guilty to a charge that he violated federal law relating to the sexual exploitation of children.

Beimel “possessed computer images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct,” a press release from Brady’s office read.

U.S. District Judge David S. Cercone, who accepted the plea, scheduled Beimel’s sentencing for Jan. 2.

While the law allows for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000 for the charge, Beimel’s sentence will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and his criminal history, according to Brady.

Beimel’s charges were the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and state police.

Meanwhile, Joseph G. Barnhart, 40, pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of contraband. Cercone sentenced Barnhart to six months in jail, Brady reported.

According to Brady, on Oct. 31, 2017, Barnhart possessed buprenorphine.

FCI-McKean officers conducted the investigation in Barnhart’s case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian A. Trabold headed the prosecution in both cases.