GRIMY TIMES — In a grim turn of events, John Christian Parks, 38, of Belfair, Washington, has been handed an additional 27-month prison term for possession of shanks at the Federal Detention Center. The sentence, which runs consecutive to his existing eight-year term, brings Parks’ total imprisonment to 35 years.
Parks, who was sentenced in January 2014 for being a felon in possession of firearms following a jury trial in October 2013, pleaded guilty to providing or possessing contraband in prison on April 10, 2014. Chief Judge Marsha J. Pechman emphasized the severity of Parks’ latest crime, noting that it posed a significant threat to both guards and inmates at the facility.
According to court filings, prison guards observed what appeared to be the passing of contraband between Parks and a visitor. After the visit, Parks was found in a drugged state, prompting his placement in a special cell and an extensive search of his belongings. Two sharpened black metallic objects resembling homemade weapons, commonly known as ‘shanks,’ were discovered at the bottom of a box of Parks’ papers.
Parks has eight prior felony convictions, most notably an incident on March 30, 2013, where he was arrested for target shooting in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Law enforcement recovered eight firearms, including four assault rifles, from Parks. Evidence presented at trial showed that two of these weapons were possessed and purchased illegally.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs, a Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor designated to handle federal firearms cases.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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