BECKLEY, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that two federal inmates pled guilty to possessing weapons. Tyrice Perkins, 24, and Troy Covington, 20, inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) at Beckley, both admitted to possessing a handcrafted weapon, commonly known as a “shank."
“We will prosecute every federal inmate found to be in possession of a weapon," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Those prisoners should expect another conviction and a longer prison stay."
Perkins admitted that on February 9, 2020, he possessed a handcrafted weapon known as a shank. A staff member at the prison saw Perkins drop the shank in the chow hall. The staff member then recovered the weapon.
Covington admitted that on February 8, 2020, he also possessed a handcrafted weapon while he was an inmate at the FCI in Beckley. A staff member at the prison found the shank concealed in a pair of shorts Covington was wearing.
Both defendants admitted that the shanks were designed and intended to be used as a weapon.
Both Perkins and Covington face up to five years in prison, to be served consecutively to the sentences they are now serving. Sentencing for both defendants is set for Jan. 22, 2021.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Assistant United States Attorneys John L. File and Timothy D. Boggess are handling the prosecutions. United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the plea hearings.
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 Nos. 5:20-cr-00179 (Perkins) and 5:20-cr-00178 (Covington).
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
