Federal Inmate Charged with Possession of a Weapon in Prison

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Sheldon Mays, age 25, of New Jersey, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for possession of a weapon while an inmate in a federal correctional facility.

According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on July 27, 2024, Mays, an inmate at the Schuylkill Federal Correctional Facility, possessed a sharpened plastic weapon with a cloth handle.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (“FBI”).  Assistant United States Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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