Scranton, PA – In a shocking turn of events, James Banks, a 33-year-old inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan, Pennsylvania, has been charged with participating in an assault of another inmate with dangerous weapons.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the victim was stabbed by Banks’ coconspirator, Johnnie Williams, with a sharpened weapon commonly referred to as a shank. Banks allegedly participated in the assault by attempting to strike the victim with a lock attached to a length of cloth during the attack.
On December 4, 2014, Senior United States District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy sentenced Banks’ coconspirator, Johnnie Williams, age 36, formerly of Memphis, Tennessee, to 30 months’ imprisonment for stabbing the victim. On September 10, 2014, Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit the assault.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Special Investigation Section at USP-Canaan. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus.
Banks, a former resident of Tennessee, faces a maximum penalty of ten years’ imprisonment for the assault, and five years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy charge and the weapon possession charge. He also faces a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine if convicted.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the judge is required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances, and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public, and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational, and medical needs.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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