Antwan Edward Johnson, Jr., a 27-year-old from North Carolina, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 28, according to a May 1 announcement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The indictment charges Johnson with possessing prohibited objects while incarcerated at the Federal Correction Institution Schuylkill in Schuylkill County.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address contraband within federal prisons and maintain safety. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Johnson allegedly had both a cell phone and a six-inch sharpened plastic weapon with a cloth handle on January 10.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated this matter, while Assistant United States Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty for these offenses is six years imprisonment, supervised release after incarceration, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge considering applicable statutes and guidelines.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office serves about 3.2 million residents across its region according to its official website. It operates under the Department of Justice according to its official website and manages prosecutions of federal crimes as well as civil litigation for the government according to its official website. The office maintains facilities in Harrisburg, Scranton, Williamsport, and Wilkes-Barre according to its official website, covering an area of over 21,900 square miles according to its official website.
Community safety initiatives such as Project Safe Neighborhoods and re-entry services are part of broader efforts that also include victim assistance programs aimed at reducing recidivism according to the office’s official website. “Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court,” said Miller.
Observers note that prosecution efforts combined with community support programs play an important role in maintaining public safety within this large jurisdiction.
