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Press Release

Inmate indicted for assault

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Elijah Jeremiah Smith, an inmate at FCI Hazleton, was indicted today for allegedly assaulting a correctional officer while being housed at FCI Gilmer, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Smith, age 23, was indicted on one count of “Assault of a Correctional Officer Resulting in Bodily Injury.” Smith is accused of assaulting a correctional officer employed by the Bureau of Prisons at FCI Gilmer in Gilmer County in September 2019.

Smith faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Prisons investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Updated October 1, 2019