SCRANTON, PA — An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Schuylkill, Minersville, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to possessing contraband in prison. Thadusse Hartridge, 22, formerly of Washington D.C., admitted to the charge before U.S. District Court Judge Julia K. Munley on November 28, 2023.
The United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam stated that Hartridge confessed to owning a dangerous homemade weapon, often referred to as a “shank.” The charge originated from an incident in October 2022, when prison staff at FCI Schuylkill discovered Hartridge in possession of the weapon.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is handling the prosecution.
Under federal law, the maximum penalty for such an offense is five years in prison, followed by a term of supervised release, and a fine. Following a finding of guilt, the judge will impose a sentence after considering the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by prison authorities in maintaining security and order within correctional facilities.
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