Federal Inmate Charged With Possession Of A Weapon

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Joshua Mike, Sr., age 25, an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg (USP Lewisburg) was indicted on October 12, 2017, by a federal grand jury for possession of a weapon in prison.  

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Mike possessed a homemade sharpened piece of plastic, commonly referred to as a “shank,” on June 16, 2017.  

The case was investigated by correctional staff at USP Lewisburg and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan VanFleet is prosecuting the case.

Indictments 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 defendant is facing a maximum of five years of incarceration 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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