Robert Stoddard Charged with Shank Assault, Pennsylvania, 2016

Robert Stoddard, a 46-year-old inmate at United States Penitentiary, Allenwood, is facing federal charges after allegedly slashing a fellow prisoner with a homemade shank in a violent assault behind bars. The attack, which occurred inside the high-security federal facility in Pennsylvania, left the victim requiring more than fifty stitches.

On October 18, 2016, a grand jury in Scranton returned an indictment charging Stoddard with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of contraband. According to the indictment, Stoddard fashioned the weapon from a razor blade, a common method for creating a ‘shank’ in prison settings where weapons are strictly prohibited.

United States Attorney Bruce Brandler stated the assault was deliberate and dangerous, underscoring the ongoing threat of inmate-on-inmate violence even within federal custody. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was treated at a nearby medical facility following the attack.

The investigation was jointly conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and correctional officers stationed at USP Allenwood. Evidence collected at the scene, including the recovered weapon and witness statements, contributed to the charges.

Assistant United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Stoddard faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, a term of supervised release, and a fine. Sentencing would be determined by the presiding judge after evaluating federal guidelines, the severity of the crime, and the defendant’s criminal and personal history.

It is important to note that the indictment is merely an allegation. Robert Stoddard is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The case continues to move through the federal justice system, highlighting the persistent dangers within the nation’s federal prison network.