David Brian Olson Sentenced for Inmate Attack with Weapon

David Brian Olson, 42, launched a brutal assault on a fellow inmate at United States Penitentiary, Allenwood, using a metal object concealed in a sock as a weapon. The attack, which occurred on May 20, 2020, left the victim with a deep head laceration requiring three staples to close. Federal prosecutors described the assault as a calculated and violent act, underscoring the dangers that persist behind prison walls.

Olson, originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota, was sentenced on November 5, 2021, to 51 months in federal prison for assault with a dangerous weapon. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The additional time adds to Olson’s existing federal sentence, extending his incarceration as punishment for turning prison grounds into a scene of violent retribution.

The weapon used in the assault — a metal object wrapped in a sock — is a known improvised weapon in correctional facilities, often referred to as a ‘sap’ or ‘blackjack.’ According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Olson wielded the device with enough force to inflict serious injury, demonstrating clear intent to harm. The victim was transported for emergency medical treatment following the attack.

The case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Agents combed through surveillance footage, inmate statements, and physical evidence to build the case against Olson. Investigators emphasized that assaults within federal prisons are treated with the same seriousness as violent crimes on the outside.

Prosecution was led by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur, who argued for a significant sentence given the premeditated nature of the attack. They noted that prison violence undermines institutional security and endangers both inmates and staff.

Olson now faces years of additional confinement, serving his 51-month sentence consecutively. The case stands as a stark reminder that violence behind bars carries real consequences — even when the bars are supposed to keep order.

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