Zachary T. Lee Acting United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
A man from Mendota, Virginia, has admitted to assaulting a fellow inmate at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority facility in Abingdon. McKinley Lee Shaffer, 32, pleaded guilty to using physical force against a witness to prevent testimony and cooperation in an official proceeding.
Shaffer faces up to 30 years in prison following his guilty plea. The incident involved a federal investigation into a March 2024 shooting in Abingdon linked to a drug-related dispute. Investigation revealed that Lakin Garrett fired a pistol at a victim during this dispute.
On November 24, 2024, Shaffer attacked the victim at the jail facility. Surveillance footage captured Shaffer punching the victim without warning and engaging in a physical altercation. In a recorded video conversation with another person, Shaffer claimed gang affiliation and mentioned that the victim had wronged an "Aryan Princess" by reporting her for shooting at him.
Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Anthony A. Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced the plea. The case is being investigated by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bristol Police Department, and Abingdon Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit Pierce is handling prosecution duties for this case.
