Prisoners’ Plastics Pose Threat at FCI Allenwood

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – A gritty investigation has led to five federal inmates being charged with possession of weapons at correctional facilities in Pennsylvania. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania revealed the charges against Ernie Joseph Sandoval, age 31, and four other prisoners.

Sandoval, incarcerated at USP Lewisburg, was caught with a homemade ‘shank’ during a search on August 17, 2017. Jose Capriata, aged 25, from FCI Allenwood, faced charges for both possession of a weapon – a sharpened piece of plastic – and a controlled substance, MAB-CHMINACA, discovered on September 17, 2017.

Lenelle Gray, age 37, also at FCI Allenwood, was found with a homemade metal shank during a search on September 24. Jorge Lopez-Cruz, aged 47, and Michael Moore, age 23, both inmates at USP Allenwood, were indicted for possession of sharpened pieces of plastic in September.

These charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the FBI, with Assistant United States Attorney Alisan VanFleet leading the prosecution. Indictments are only allegations, maintaining that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Punishment for these crimes could be severe; each defendant faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The sentencing will consider various factors as per the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.