An inmate at SCI-Frackville is facing felony charges after state police allege he punched a corrections officer and was later found with a disassembled razor in his clothing.
Joshua Jamar Moss, 38, was charged by Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville with felony counts of aggravated assault and assault by a prisoner, along with a misdemeanor charge related to an inmate possessing a weapon.
The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred June 29, 2026, outside the state correctional institution in Ryan Township.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, investigators were notified July 14 that a corrections officer had been assaulted near Gate 2 of the facility. A prison security captain told police the incident had been recorded by surveillance cameras.
Police received and reviewed the surveillance footage on August 21. Investigators allege the video showed Moss walking toward Gate 2 alongside the corrections officer before lunging toward him with a closed right fist.
The officer was allegedly struck on the right side of his face and fell onto a nearby grassy area.
Two other corrections officers approached Moss and attempted to restrain him, according to court documents. Moss allegedly “squared up” with one of the approaching officers and raised both fists before three officers subdued him.
After Moss was restrained, two officers escorted him toward a prison building.
Court documents state that Moss’ clothing was subsequently removed in accordance with prison regulations. During a search, staff allegedly discovered a broken or disassembled razor in a back pocket. The razor blade was reportedly wrapped in tissue paper and taken to the prison’s security office as evidence.
Photographs reviewed by investigators reportedly showed redness and bruising on the right side of the assaulted officer’s face. Court papers do not allege that the razor was displayed or used during the assault.
The criminal complaint was filed September 10 before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli. A preliminary arraignment is scheduled for October 8, followed by a preliminary hearing on October 21.