The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced on May 1 that two federal inmates, Kajuan Woods and Patrick Alexander, were separately indicted by a federal grand jury on April 28 for possessing contraband weapons in prison.
The indictments highlight ongoing efforts to address safety and security within correctional facilities. The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecutes such cases as part of its broader mandate to maintain community safety through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods and re-entry services that aim to reduce recidivism, according to the official website.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Woods is alleged to have possessed an inmate-manufactured weapon—a four-inch piece of metal sharpened to a point with a cloth handle—on or about March 15 while incarcerated at the Federal Correction Institution Schuylkill in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting this case.
Patrick Alexander was also indicted while an inmate at FCI Schuylkill for allegedly possessing a six-inch piece of metal sharpened to a point with a white cord handle on April 3 in Schuylkill County. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is handling this prosecution. Both investigations were conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is five years’ imprisonment, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge after consideration of applicable statutes and guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations; all persons charged are presumed innocent unless found guilty in court.
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania serves approximately 3.2 million residents across 33 counties in central Pennsylvania, covering an area of over 21,900 square miles with offices located in Harrisburg, Scranton, Williamsport, and Wilkes-Barre according to the official website. The office operates under the Department of Justice and handles prosecutions of federal crimes as well as civil litigation involving government interests.
