Sheldon Mays Charged

A federal inmate from New Jersey is facing new charges after being caught with a makeshift weapon while behind bars. Sheldon Mays, age 25, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for possession of a weapon while an inmate in a federal correctional facility.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Mays, an inmate at the Schuylkill Federal Correctional Facility, possessed a sharpened plastic weapon with a cloth handle on July 27, 2024. The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus announced the indictment, which alleges that Mays violated federal law by possessing the weapon while in prison. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

Assistant United States Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case against Mays. The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement to maintaining safety and order within the federal prison system.

The case against Mays is a reminder that inmates in federal correctional facilities are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the institution. Possessing a weapon, even a makeshift one, is a serious offense that can result in additional charges and penalties.

It is worth noting that indictments and criminal informations are only allegations, and all persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. Mays will have the opportunity to defend himself against the charges in court, where a judge will ultimately determine his guilt or innocence.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the FBI take all allegations of prison crime seriously and will continue to investigate and prosecute cases involving violence, weapons, and other serious offenses within the federal prison system.

RELATED: Jailhouse Shank: Inmate Sheldon Mays Indicted