BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A 45-year-old inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) McDowell has pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon in prison, authorities said.
Demetrius McKinney, 45, is facing a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
The incident occurred on April 24, 2024, when McKinney was involved in an altercation while an inmate at FCI McDowell. Following the altercation, a staff member conducted a search of McKinney and discovered a handcrafted weapon, commonly known as a "shank," in his right front pants pocket.
The shank, a piece of metal approximately six and a half inches long, had one end sharpened to a point and a cloth handle on the other end, according to court documents and statements made in court.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in bringing the case to justice.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 11, 2025, with Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presiding over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is prosecuting the case.
A copy of the press release can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be accessed on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-31.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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