SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Johnny Biggs, age 37, inmate at United States Penitentiary, Canaan, was indicted on Nov. 15, 2016, by a federal grand jury for possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of contraband.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Biggs attacked another inmate with a weapon fashioned from a padlock tied to a sock. The victim suffered multiple lacerations to his head, face, and back.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers at USP Canaan. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the assault offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
