ALEXANDRIA, La. – A prisoner at the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock, Louisiana, is facing serious time after admitting to possessing a homemade weapon inside the facility. Eric Judy Blair, 40, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of possessing contraband in a prison, a charge that carries a hefty potential sentence.
The bust went down June 11, 2017, during a routine security check. According to court documents, prison guards were running inmates through a metal detector when Blair triggered the alarm. Rather than cooperate, Blair attempted to pass through the detector a second time, still setting off the alarm. This immediately raised red flags.
A subsequent pat-down search revealed the source of the alarm: a crudely fashioned metal knife, approximately six and one-half inches long. The weapon, clearly constructed from materials available inside the prison, represents a significant security threat. Authorities haven’t released details on how Blair obtained the materials or intended to use the shank.
Blair now faces up to five years behind bars, in addition to the time he’s already serving. The sentence also includes a possible one year of supervised release following his incarceration and a substantial fine of $250,000. The U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook’s office is pushing for the maximum penalty, citing the danger posed by prison-made weapons.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons-Special Investigative Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is handling the prosecution, and is expected to argue for a strict sentence at the upcoming hearing.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 18, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. Grimy Times will be in the courtroom to report on the outcome. This case highlights the ongoing battle to keep dangerous contraband out of federal prisons and maintain order within the walls.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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