Federal inmate pleads guilty to possessing weapon in prison

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution at McDowell pleaded guilty today to possessing a weapon in prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Tyrell Saunders, 22, entered his guilty plea in federal court to possession of a weapon by an inmate at the institution. Saunders admitted that on May 11, 2015, he possessed a handcrafted metal weapon known as a “shank.” He faces up to five years in federal prison when he is sentenced on April 5, 2016.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution. The defendant entered his guilty plea before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

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