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Press Release

Federal Inmate At USP Canaan Charged With Assaulting Two Correctional Officers And Possession Of Contraband

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Johnny Fletcher, age 40, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan (USP Canaan), located in Waymart, Pennsylvania, was indicted on May 22, 2018, by a federal grand jury for assaulting two federal correctional officers and possession of contraband in prison.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on February 5, 2018, Fletcher  assaulted two correctional officers and possessed three sharpened pieces of metal commonly known as “shanks.” 

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting 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 guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty which can be imposed under federal law is eight years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. 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 an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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Updated May 23, 2018

Topic
Violent Crime