The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a felony Criminal Indictment was returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Scranton charging federal prison inmate Dwayne Parker, age 30, today.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Parker was charged with allegedly possessing a homemade weapon in April of 2014, while an inmate at the federal prison.

If convicted, Parker could be imprisoned for a maximum sentence of up to five years and a fine in the amount of $250,000.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Todd K. Hinkley.

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 five 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.