PITTSBURGH — A Butler County Prison inmate admitted that he smuggled synthetic pot into the facility last year, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Chance Rice, 26, of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to charges in three separate investigations, including one in Butler County.

Authorities said Rice was in the county prison while awaiting his federal cases on July 10, 2018, when corrections officers searched his cell.

The search, according to statement by U.S. Attorney Scott Brady, turned up “drug-soaked paper.”

Lab tests subsequently determined that the paper contained the substance “5 Flouro ADB,” the active ingredient of a type of synthetic marijuana, also known as K-2 or Spice.

Rice in his plea, Brady said, acknowledged “possessing this drug to provide to other inmates.”

The liquid form of cannabis, which apparently was used to soak the paper, can be swallowed to get high, investigators said.

Synthetic pot can also cause hallucinations and lead to dizziness, nausea, agitation and heart problems.

Rice is to be sentenced June 3 on charges in the case as well as charges in two separate gun-related federal cases in Allegheny County that date back to 2015.

Under federal law, he faces a maximum combined sentence of up to 50 years in prison and a fine of up to $2.5 million.

Rice remains in the Butler County Prison pending his sentence. He has been there since June 2016.