Two Hazelton Inmates Indicted

CLARKSBURG, WV—Two Hazelton inmates were named in three separate Indictments returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Clarksburg, West Virginia on November 4, 2010.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that:

LEON BRANT, age 34, was named in a one-count indictment. The Indictment alleges that BRANT assaulted, intimidated, and interfered with an employee of the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, while the officer was engaged in the performance of his official duties as a correctional officer on March 25, 2009. If convicted, BRANT faces a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

SHAMEKE WALKER, age 36, was named in two separate indictments. The first indictment alleges that WALKER aided and abetted in the assault of another inmate with a dangerous weapon with the intent to do bodily harm on April 26, 2009. If convicted, WALKER faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The second indictment alleges that WALKER possessed an object that was designed and intended to be used as a weapon on January 26, 2010. If convicted, WALKER faces a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Special Investigative Services at USP Hazelton.

It should be noted that the charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations and not evidence of guilt, and that each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.