The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jamal Townsend, 35, an inmate at FCI Schuylkill, was indicted on March 27, by a federal grand jury on a charge of possessing a weapon in prison.

According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on Feb. 20, Townsend possessed a piece of plastic, approximately 7 inches long, sharpened to a point at one end with a cloth handle.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Zenzinger is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 years and a fine. A sentence would also include a period of supervised release following imprisonment. 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.

Indictments are only allegations. All people charged by indictment are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.