SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that United States District Judge Malachy Mannion sentenced Reuben Blajos, age 42, and Manuel Vasquez-Perez, age 40, for assaulting another inmate while incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary Canaan (USP Canaan) in Waymart, Pennsylvania. Both inmates received a 70 month term of imprisonment.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Blajos and Vasquez-Perez previously pleaded guilty to the assault, and admitted they beat another inmate with modified flails fashioned from padlocks affixed to socks, and repeatedly kicked their victim while he was on the ground. The victim suffered serious, but not life-threatening brain injuries, and numerous cuts and abrasions throughout his body.
At the time of the assault, Blajos was serving a sentence at USP Canaan pursuant to a 2010 federal conviction for racketeering and narcotics trafficking conspiracies. Judge Mannion ordered that his new sentence run consecutive to his undischarged term of imprisonment.
Vasquez-Perez, a citizen of Mexico, was serving a sentence at USP Canaan pursuant to a 2012 federal conviction for entering the United States illegally after having previously been deported. That sentence for entering the United States illegally expired during the course of the prosecution for the assault offense.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers from USP Canaan. Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
