Inmate Stephen Morrison Indicted Over Drugs, Shank at Allenwood FCI

Stephen Morrison, 28, was hit with federal charges after being caught smuggling a potent synthetic cannabinoid and a razor-sharp prison-made weapon into one of Pennsylvania’s tightest federal lockups. The indictment, handed down December 20, 2016, by a federal grand jury, accuses Morrison of possessing AB-Pinaca — a Schedule I controlled substance — and a deadly homemade ‘shank’ while incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Allenwood.

The bust went down in September 2016, when correctional officers and FBI agents uncovered the contraband on Morrison’s person during a routine search. AB-Pinaca, a designer drug known for triggering extreme hallucinations and violent behavior, has flooded prison systems nationwide, fueling internal chaos and posing serious health threats. The shank, crudely sharpened but lethally effective, underscores the volatile environment within the facility.

According to U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the discovery prompted an immediate investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in tandem with FCI Allenwood’s internal security team. The coordinated effort highlights the growing challenges federal prisons face in combating the flow of illegal substances and weapons behind bars — a battle that often pits overworked staff against increasingly resourceful inmates.

Assistant United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni is leading the prosecution. Morrison now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison if convicted, plus potential supervised release and steep fines. But under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence could vary widely depending on the defendant’s criminal history, behavior in custody, and the court’s assessment of public safety risks.

Despite the severity of the charges, federal authorities stress that indictments are not convictions. Morrison is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. His case now enters the next phase of the judicial process, where evidence will be scrutinized and motions filed under the harsh glare of federal scrutiny.

The FCI Allenwood facility, which houses thousands of federal inmates, has seen repeated contraband crackdowns in recent years. This case adds to a growing list of federal prosecutions targeting the underground prison economy — where drugs, weapons, and power converge behind razor wire and steel doors.