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Press Release

Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Possessing Weapon

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

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Deontae Holmes, a federal inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) at Beckley, pleaded guilty today to possessing a handcrafted weapon, commonly known as a “shank.” 

According to court documents, FCI Beckley staff members found Holmes in possession of a shank on February 22, 2021.  The shank was a piece of metal approximately six inches long that was sharpened to a point on one end and had a rubberized tape handle on the other end.  The shank was found in Holmes’ pants pocket during a random pat search.  Holmes admitted that the shank was designed and intended to be used as a weapon.

Holmes faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on January 14, 2022.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is handling the prosecution.

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-00151.

 

 

 

 

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Updated September 24, 2021