Michael Lonesome, a 40-year-old inmate at USP Allenwood in White Deer, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 23 for possessing a weapon in prison and assaulting another inmate with a dangerous weapon, according to an April 24 announcement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to maintain safety within federal correctional facilities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania handles prosecutions of federal crimes, civil litigation on behalf of the government, and victim assistance programs according to its official website.
United States Attorney Brian D. Miller said that the indictment alleges Lonesome possessed a razor blade and used it to assault another inmate. The Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Robin Zenzinger is prosecuting.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is up to ten years in prison plus a fine. Any sentence would also include supervised release after imprisonment. Sentencing will be determined by a judge following consideration of relevant statutes and guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations at this stage; all persons charged are presumed innocent unless found guilty in court.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office operates under the United States Department of Justice according to its official website. It covers approximately 21,907 square miles across central Pennsylvania—including Harrisburg, Scranton, Williamsport, and Wilkes-Barre—and serves about 3.2 million residents according to its official website. The office also promotes community safety through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods and re-entry services designed to reduce recidivism according to its official website.
