The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that charges have been filed against Andrew Barnes, who is currently confined at the U.S. Penitentiary, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

According to United States Attorney, Peter Smith, Barnes, age 35, is charged in a two-count felony Information with assault with a dangerous weapon. In August 2014, and again in October 2014, Barnes allegedly assaulted two other Lewisburg inmates with homemade weapons.

The government filed a plea agreement with the defendant which is subject to approval by the court.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Wayne P. Samuelson has been assigned to prosecute the case.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statues and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statutes is 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine of $500,000.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also 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. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not necessarily an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.