CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Former FCI Gilmer corrections officer Hector Luis Lopez was sentenced to five years of probation Monday for taking $40,000 worth of bribes in a scheme to get tobacco and other contraband into the facility.

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh also ordered Lopez to pay $40,000 in restitution.

Lopez could have faced a prison term of 18 months to 24 months — which was prescribed by federal guidelines — but Kleeh granted defense lawyer Deanna Pennington's request for a downward variance.

Lopez had no prior criminal history, has worked throughout his life, has an education, and took immediate responsibility once authorities got an idea that wrongdoing was occurring, the court learned.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar, for U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey, asked f

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