Lavon Caldwell, Possession of Improvised Shanks, PA 2024

Lavon Caldwell, 36, sits behind bars not just for his original crime—but now for arming himself inside one of Pennsylvania’s tightest federal lockups. The federal inmate was indicted by a grand jury in Williamsport on charges of possessing two improvised shanks while incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institute Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), a move that threatens to extend his stay behind bars by up to five years.

The discovery unfolded during a targeted search on March 7, 2017, when correctional officers and FBI agents uncovered the crude but deadly weapons hidden in Caldwell’s cell. According to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed, the shanks—commonly fashioned in prison settings to inflict harm—were deemed a direct threat to institutional safety and staff security.

The investigation was a joint operation between FCI Allenwood’s internal security unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, underscoring the seriousness with which federal authorities treat weapon possession in custody. The case is now being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. FiggsGanter, who has a track record of handling high-risk inmate misconduct cases.

Caldwell now faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. Though already serving time, the new charge adds a dangerous chapter to his criminal footprint—one that could impact future parole decisions and placement within the federal prison system.

Legal experts stress that while the statutory maximum is five years, the actual sentence would be determined under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The judge will weigh factors including the nature of the offense, Caldwell’s prison conduct, and the need to protect both staff and inmates from potential violence.

As with all federal cases, Caldwell is presumed innocent of this charge until proven guilty in court. But in the concrete confines of FCI Allenwood, where survival often hinges on power and control, the possession of homemade weapons sends a chilling message—one the justice system aims to punish.