Inmate Sentenced for Possessing Weapon at FCI Beckley

BECKLEY, W.Va. - An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) at Beckley was sentenced today for possessing a weapon at the correctional facility. Jerry Stewart, 31, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, which will run consecutively to the sentence he currently is serving.

According to court documents, Stewart possessed a handcrafted weapon, commonly referred to as a “shank,” on February 13, 2020, while an inmate at the FCI Beckley.   A staff member recovered the weapon after seeing Stewart place the shank on the ground in the compound at the prison after an incident with another inmate.  The weapon was a piece of metal about six inches long, sharpened to a point on one end with a cloth handle on the other end. 

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution.

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. 

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. 5:20-cr-00204.

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