Federal Inmate Convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter at USP Canaan

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Bryant Wilson, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan in Waymart, Pennsylvania, has been convicted of voluntary manslaughter and possession of a prohibited weapon. The conviction follows a two-day jury trial that concluded on November 18, 2025, before Senior United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion. The case stems from an incident that occurred on November 28, 2021, within the correctional facility.

During the altercation, which began when another inmate initiated a physical confrontation, Wilson reportedly retrieved a seven-inch weapon, described as a shank, from his pocket. He then proceeded to attack the other inmate, delivering at least 15 stab wounds to the upper body. These injuries caused severe damage to vital organs, and the victim died from the wounds within minutes. Wilson had claimed self-defense, but evidence, including prison surveillance video, reportedly showed Wilson pursuing the other inmate and continuing to stab him as the victim attempted to escape. The investigation into the incident was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Prisons, Special Investigative Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle A. Moreno and Gerard T. Donahue handled the prosecution of the case. Wilson faces a maximum penalty of twenty years of imprisonment. A judge will determine the final sentence after considering federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

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