Inmate Marco Deputy Busted with Prison Shank

SCRANTON, PA – Another federal lockup, another homemade weapon. Marco Deputy, 30, of Frederick, Maryland, is facing serious time after a federal grand jury indicted him August 12, 2025, on charges of possessing a weapon inside the walls of Schuylkill Federal Correctional Facility.

According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the incident occurred December 2, 2024. Federal investigators discovered Deputy, already serving time, in possession of a sharpened aluminum weapon – a crude but dangerous shank fashioned from materials available within the prison. Details on how he obtained the weapon are currently being withheld, but sources say the investigation is ongoing, looking into potential inside help.

This isn’t a first-time offense for many inmates caught with contraband, and the Schuylkill FCI has a documented history of security breaches. The discovery underscores the constant battle corrections officials face in keeping dangerous items out of the hands of those already behind bars. The question now is how this weapon slipped through security, and what, if any, systemic failures contributed to it.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons led the investigation, working to determine the origins of the weapon and whether Deputy intended to use it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is handling the prosecution, and she’s known for securing convictions in similar cases. Expect a tough fight.

If convicted, Marco Deputy faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, in addition to the time he’s already serving. He will also be subject to a term of supervised release following his imprisonment, and a hefty fine. However, the final sentence will be determined by the judge, considering federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a declaration of guilt. Deputy is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But with a sharpened weapon found in his possession, the evidence suggests a clear threat to the safety of both fellow inmates and correctional officers. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. # # #