ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — A man from Mendota has admitted guilt to assaulting another inmate, aiming to prevent them from providing testimony in a federal probe, as announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia stated in a news release that McKinley Lee Shaffer, who claims gang affiliation, confessed to using physical force against a witness concerning their testimony and possible cooperation in an official proceeding.

Shaffer, 32, now faces a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison.

“The witness was connected to a federal investigation regarding a March 2024 shooting incident in Abingdon and the related federal inquiry,” the release indicated. “The investigation uncovered that Lakin Garrett discharged a firearm at a victim amid a drug-related conflict.”

On Nov. 24, 2024, Shaffer reportedly assaulted his fellow inmate at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority in Abingdon.

Surveillance video shows Shaffer punching the victim without warning, and a physical altercation ensued.

“In a later recorded video ‘visit’ with another person, Shaffer stated he was a gang member, and that the victim had robbed an ‘Aryan Princess’ and ‘told on her’ for shooting at the victim,” the release said. “Shaffer was referring to the March 2024 shots-fired incident in Abingdon. Shaffer said that he ‘had to go beat him up.’”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bristol, Virginia Police Department and the Abingdon Police Department are investigating the case.