Federal inmate sentenced for possessing a weapon in prison

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution at McDowell was sentenced today to a year and two months in federal prison for possessing a weapon, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Tyruss Jackson, 34, previously pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon by an inmate of a federal prison.

Jackson admitted that on September 18, 2015, he possessed a handcrafted knife while he was serving time in the prison. The handcrafted wooden weapon, commonly referred to as a “shank,” was sharpened to a point, measured slightly over six inches in length, had tape wrapped around one end to serve as a handle, and a had a string tied to the handle to serve as a lanyard. A Bureau of Prisons staff member discovered the item concealed in Jackson’s pants. Jackson will serve the year and two months after he completes his current undischarged sentence.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.

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