BEAUMONT, Texas – Rafael Castillo, Jr., a 26-year-old federal prison inmate, has pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited object in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today. Castillo, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont, was found in possession of two homemade weapons measuring approximately 5.5 inches and 7 inches in length each.
According to information presented in court, on June 20, 2016, Castillo was found during a pat-down search to be in possession of the homemade weapons, commonly referred to as ‘shanks,’ which were concealed in his pants pocket. Each weapon had been constructed out of metal material and had been sharpened to a point and designed to be used as a weapon. Such objects are prohibited in the Beaumont Federal Correctional Complex.
Under federal statutes, Castillo faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress and is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke. ‘The Bureau of Prisons takes the safety of its inmates and staff very seriously, and we will continue to work to prevent the introduction of contraband into our facilities,’ said FCI Beaumont Warden, Kimberly A. Connolly.
Castillo’s guilty plea is a significant step in bringing justice to the victims of crime, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke. ‘We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Prisons, and the U.S. Probation Office in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.’
Rafael Castillo, Jr. is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall L. Fluke. This case is a reminder that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Prisons will continue to work together to prevent the introduction of contraband into federal correctional facilities and to bring those who commit crimes to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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