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Press Release

Two Federal Inmates Charged With Assault On Another Inmate

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 two inmates at the United States Penitentiary, Canaan, Waymart, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury for assaulting another inmate with a homemade weapon.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment charges Michael Caraballo, age 34, and Victor Lopez, age 28, with assault with a dangerous weapon and aiding and abetting. The charges stem from an incident in February 2017, in which Caraballo and Lopez allegedly assaulted another inmate with a sharpened piece of metal commonly known as a “shank.” The indictment also charges Caraballo with possessing contraband in prison.

 

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 under federal law is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a 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 September 19, 2017