Tiago Bettencourt, a 22-year-old federal inmate at FCI Schuylkill, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 13 for allegedly possessing a weapon while incarcerated.
The indictment alleges that on February 27, Bettencourt had in his possession a prison-made weapon described as approximately a nine-inch sharpened piece of plexi-glass with a cloth handle, commonly referred to as a “shank.” United States Attorney Brian D. Miller said the charge stems from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Special Investigative Services of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Bettencourt faces up to five years in prison, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing would be determined by the Judge after considering federal sentencing statutes and guidelines. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania handles prosecutions like this one and manages civil litigation for the government as well as victim assistance programs, according to its official website.
Miller emphasized that indictments are only allegations and that “all persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.” The office also promotes community safety through initiatives such as Project Safe Neighborhoods and re-entry services aimed at reducing recidivism.according to its official website.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office serves about 3.2 million residents across 33 counties in central Pennsylvania over an area spanning more than 21,900 square miles,according to its official website. It operates under the United States Department of Justice with facilities located in Harrisburg, Scranton, Williamsport, and Wilkes-Barre.
