PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Antonio Shaw, 31, of Philadelphia, PA, was found guilty today by a jury of one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

On October 27, 2017, the defendant was an inmate at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. The government introduced evidence at trial that the defendant was involved in a previous incident concerning a second inmate. Based on the previous incident, a third inmate attempted to grab the defendant and pull him into a cell to fight, but the defendant broke free and ran away. A short time later, after lying in wait a short distance from the cell, the defendant rushed the third inmate from his blind side and repeatedly stabbed and slashed him with a sharp object. The third inmate suffered 11 separate stab and slash wounds.

“The same laws apply inside and outside of prison,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “The defendant clearly has no respect for the law or the safety of others. If you assault another individual, whether out on the street or at the Federal Detention Center, we can and will hold you accountable for your crime.”

“Incarcerated prisoners cannot be allowed to engage in violent behavior with impunity,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Maintaining a safe environment for federal inmates and the Bureau of Prisons personnel responsible for them is essential to the operation of FDC Philadelphia, and the integrity of the justice system.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Miller.