John E. Childress Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana
Joshua T. Mebane, a 29-year-old from Silver Spring, Maryland, has been sentenced to life in federal prison for the murder of his cellmate, Michael Tucker, at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. Mebane, who was already serving time for various murder convictions, admitted to the crime following his cellmate's death in January 2016.
Court documents revealed that Mebane was originally incarcerated for first-degree murder in the District of Columbia. He received additional life sentences for murder and attempted murder incidents in Maryland from 2012. The incident with Tucker occurred shortly after Tucker moved into Mebane's cell. When correctional officers called on both inmates to prepare for a medical appointment, Mebane confessed to killing his cellmate, stating, “My cellie is dead… I killed my cellie on Wednesday.”
Upon entering the cell, officers discovered Tucker deceased, covered by a blanket on the bottom bunk. Despite efforts from medics, Tucker was pronounced dead, with a medical examiner later citing asphyxiation as the cause of death.
Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, John E. Childress noted, “This life sentence reflects our office’s commitment to justice for all victims, including those who are incarcerated in federal correctional facilities."
FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans remarked, “The FBI is committed to ensuring the rights and dignity of every victim – no matter where the crimes occur.”
In addition, a Bureau of Prisons spokesperson stated, "Today's sentencing sends a clear message - those who threaten or harm others will be held accountable.”
The investigation was a combined effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Prisons, with U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney II imposing the life sentence. Acting U.S. Attorney Childress commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle M. Sawa and Meredith Wood for their prosecution work in this case.
