Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports a homemade cutting/stabbing weapon, also known as a shank, was discovered by a Deputy at the holding center on February 20.

The holding center Deputy was conducting a search of inmate property in a housing unit when the shank fell to the floor from inmate Jemmott Pierce’s bed sheets.  The weapon was seized and Deputies from the Police Services and Jail Management divisions are continuing their investigation into the incident.  No deputy or inmate was reported injured by the weapon.

The Sheriff’s Office charged Pierce with criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use and a felony count of possessing dangerous contraband in a prison. The defendant also faces administrative disciplinary charges.

Pierce, 18 of Buffalo, is currently housed at the holding center on $10,000.00 bail for gang assault and robbery charges from an incident in the City of Buffalo.

The weapon was constructed from a broken light bulb with a duct tape handle.