WASHINGTON, D.C. — A 23-year-old inmate from Washington, D.C., Da’Quan Tucker, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison following a violent and unprovoked assault on a fellow inmate at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Otisville in New York.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced the sentencing, which stems from an incident that occurred on April 3, 2024, when Tucker attacked his former cellmate in the prison yard using a 6-inch contraband knife.
Unprovoked Assault in Prison Yard
According to federal prosecutors, Tucker repeatedly stabbed the victim in the head and face, leaving him with serious injuries. The assault, described as brutal and unprovoked, took place in a public area of the prison where other inmates and staff were present.
“Da’Quan Tucker brutally attacked a fellow inmate in the prison yard at FCI Otisville without provocation,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, who emphasized the danger such violence poses not only to inmates but also to prison staff. “This kind of conduct will not be tolerated in our federal prison system.”
Additional Penalties and Previous Offenses
In addition to the nearly five-year prison sentence, Tucker will serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration. He previously pleaded guilty to two federal charges:
- Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
- Possession of Contraband in Prison
At the time of the stabbing, Tucker was serving time for a 2023 robbery committed while on supervised release, highlighting a continued pattern of violent behavior.
Threats of Further Violence
After the assault, Tucker allegedly told prison staff that he would attack the victim again if given the opportunity—statements that prosecutors said demonstrated a clear intent to cause even greater harm, possibly even attempted murder…