USP Allenwood Inmate Charged With Assault And Possession Of Contraband

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on October 18, 2016, a grand jury in Scranton charged Robert Stoddard, age 46, an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Allenwood, Pennsylvania, (USP Allenwood) with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of contraband.

According to United States Attorney Bruce Brandler, the Indictment alleges that Stoddard attacked another inmate with a weapon fashioned from a razor blade (commonly known as a “shank”).  The victim required over fifty stitches for his wounds.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers at USP Allenwood.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni.

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 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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