Two USP Canaan Inmates Charged With Assault And Possession Of Contraband

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joshua Truesdale, age 37, and James Brooks, age 34, inmate as United States Penitentiary Canaan (USP Canaan) in Waymart, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury on June 4, 2019. for conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on August 13, 2018, Truesdale and Brooks conspired and attacked another inmate with a sharpened piece of metal and plastic, commonly referred to as a “shank.”

The investigation was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers at USP Canaan.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

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

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.

The maximum penalty under federal law for both conspiracy and assault with a deadly weapon is 10 years of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The maximum penalty for possession of contraband is 5 years of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.