Tony Lashon Cleveland Jr., Possessing Weapon at FCI McDowell, West Virginia 2024

Convicted Felon Caught with Homemade Weapon in Sock

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A disturbing crime has shaken the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) McDowell. Tony Lashon Cleveland Jr., 26, a convicted felon and inmate at the facility, has pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon by an inmate at a federal prison.

According to court documents, on September 12, 2023, an FCI McDowell staff member conducted a routine pat-down search of Cleveland and stumbled upon a handcrafted weapon, known as a 'shank,' hidden in one of his socks. The shank measured approximately five inches long with a sharpened point and a handle made from melted plastic.

Cleveland admitted to possessing the shank, stating that it was designed and intended to be used as a weapon. This admission has sparked concerns among prison officials and law enforcement agencies about the growing trend of homemade weapons inside correctional facilities.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia has taken this matter seriously, and United States Attorney Will Thompson has commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing, while Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is prosecuting the case.

Cleveland is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of possessing a weapon in a correctional facility.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging prison officials to remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent the smuggling of contraband into correctional facilities. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe and secure environment within our nation's prisons.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/inmate-pleads-guilty-possessing-weapon-fci-mcdowell-3