Paul DiMaio, a 56-year-old criminal defense attorney from Turnersville, New Jersey, has been arrested and charged with providing contraband to an inmate at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Philadelphia. The charges were announced by Acting United States Attorney Nelson S.T. Thayer, Jr.
According to the criminal complaint, on February 4, 2025, FDC surveillance captured DiMaio entering the facility with two "redweld" type folders. He signed a Bureau of Prisons form acknowledging the prohibition against bringing items such as drugs and electronic devices into the center.
The complaint details that DiMaio met with an inmate who was not his client for 18 minutes in a legal visitation room. Surveillance footage shows DiMaio leaving with only one folder while the inmate was later observed carrying a redweld folder containing contraband including a Motorola cell phone, charging cord, suboxone strips—a Schedule III controlled substance—and cigarettes.
Additionally, Tanya Culver, 55, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was also charged. She is accused of collaborating with DiMaio in acquiring and delivering contraband. It is alleged she communicated with him and accompanied him to the FDC on February 4.
Both defendants face potential sentences of up to five years in prison and fines reaching $250,000 if convicted.
The FBI conducted the investigation while Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Miller is handling prosecution duties. It is important to note that charges are merely accusations and both individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.