Woman cited for drugs at prison

A Berks County woman has been charged with bringing illegal drugs to a state prison for the purpose of selling them.

State police at Frackville said Karen Battisini-Arizmendi, 24, of Reading, was arrested on Saturday, May 8, about 9:10 a.m. outside the state correctional insitutiton at Mahanoy, Morea Rd., in Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County. Trooeprs said Arizmendi entered the property of the state prison in a vehicle as a visitor. The owner of the vehicle consented to a search and correction officers found suspected marijuana in the vehicle. A further investigation revealed that the marijuana belonged to Arizmendi and she had intended to take it into the prison to sell.

Troopers were called to the scene and took her into custody. She was arraigned before duty District Judge James Reiley of Pottsville on one count each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession. She was released on $20,000 unsecured bail.