Allenwood Inmates Busted With Hidden Weapons & Heroin

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The already grim reality inside the Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Allenwood) got a little darker this week with the announcement of federal indictments against four inmates caught stashing weapons and drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania revealed the charges, a stark reminder that the battle against criminal activity doesn’t end at the prison gates.

The indictments, handed down by a federal grand jury, detail separate incidents. Craig Pipps, 43, allegedly had a 7.5 inch improvised knife concealed in his boot when searched at the United States Penitentiary Allenwood (U.S.P. Allenwood) on December 12, 2016. Just days prior, on December 11, 2016, Zarqurous Sanders, 32, was allegedly found with an 8 inch improvised knife on his person, also at U.S.P. Allenwood. These aren’t store-bought shanks; these are weapons painstakingly crafted within the prison walls, a testament to the ingenuity – and danger – brewing inside.

The contraband wasn’t limited to weaponry. Ruben Esparza, 37, is facing charges for possession of heroin, allegedly discovered on June 27, 2015, at U.S.P. Allenwood. How the drugs made their way into the facility remains under investigation, but it highlights the persistent struggle to keep narcotics out of the hands of inmates. Adding to the list, Jeremy Harwell, 30, was allegedly found with a 7 inch improvised knife on his person at the Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood on December 18, 2016.

Federal investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service conducted the investigations, working to dismantle the flow of illegal items within the complex. Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Figgsganter and Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur are now tasked with prosecuting the cases, building a case against each inmate and bringing them to justice.

It’s crucial to remember that these indictments are allegations, and each defendant – Pipps, Sanders, Esparza, and Harwell – is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, if convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release after serving their time, and a hefty fine of $250,000. The sentencing judge will consider a range of factors, from the severity of the offense to the defendant’s criminal history, before determining the final punishment.

The Federal Sentencing Guidelines aren’t a guarantee of the maximum sentence; they provide a framework for a just and proportionate response. The aim is not just punishment, but also rehabilitation and public safety. But one thing is certain: bringing weapons and drugs into a federal prison is a serious offense, and these four inmates will now have to answer for their actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.