Date: 04-21-2017

Case Style:

Case Number: 1:17-cr-00048-CAP-AJB

Judge: Charles A. Pannell, Jr.

Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Georiga (Fulton County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Jeffrey W. Davis and Timothy Lee

Defendant's Attorney: Courtney Ann O'Donnell - FPD

Description: Atlanta, GA - Inmate Pleads Guilty to Escaping from Atlanta’s Federal Penitentiary

Federal inmate Justin B. Stinson has pleaded guilty to escaping from the United States Penitentiary minimum security camp in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Stinson escaped from Atlanta’s federal prison solely to smuggle contraband back inside it,” said U. S. Attorney John A. Horn. “This case shines a light on a recurring problem with prisoners leaving the camp, which creates safety concerns in the surrounding neighborhoods as well as within the camp itself when inmates return with contraband to feed a thriving black market.”

“The safety of our communities is the department’s number one priority, and escaped inmates clearly have the ability to threaten the well-being of unsuspecting residents, including the numerous children who live in proximity to the prison. The department is extremely grateful to U.S. Attorney John Horn and his staff for making this case a priority, and sending a strong message to other inmates who may be inclined to attempt escape that additional sentencing will be forthcoming,” said Chief of Police Erika Shields, Atlanta Police Department.

According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia (“USP Atlanta”) is a medium-security federal prison for male inmates operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. USP Atlanta also has a detention center for pre-trial inmates and a satellite prison camp for minimum-security male inmates. In March 2015, Stinson pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in a Florida federal court. From August 2016 to February 2017, Stinson was assigned to serve his time at USP Atlanta’s minimum security camp.

On February 3, 2017, law enforcement officers conducted surveillance along the USP Atlanta’s prison fence line near New Town Circle. Just after 9:00 p.m., Stinson escaped from USP Atlanta by climbing through a hole in one prison fence and then climbing over USP Atlanta’s outer prison fence. Thereafter, Stinson retrieved a large black duffel bag from the occupant of a stopped car on New Town Circle and began walking back toward USP Atlanta. The FBI then arrested Stinson from a location outside of USP Atlanta’s confines. The FBI also recovered from Stinson a cellular telephone, a pair of scissors, two 1.75 liters of Jose Cuervo tequila, two cartons of Newport cigarettes, four boxes of Black and Mild cigars, and various food items.

On February 14, 2017, Stinson, 37, was indicted by a federal grand jury on escape and contraband smuggling charges. Stinson pleaded guilty to one count of escape.

The sentencing hearing for Stinson has been scheduled for June 28, 2017, at 2:30 p.m., before U.S. District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Atlanta Police Department.

Outcome: Guilty

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Defendant's Experts:

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