ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — A Mendota man pleaded guilty to assaulting a fellow inmate to prevent them from testifying during a federal investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Virginia, McKinley Lee Shaffer, a “self-described gang member,” pleaded guilty to one count of using physical force against a witness regarding the testimony and potential cooperation in an official proceeding.

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

“The witness was involved in a federal investigation involving a March 2024 shots-fired incident in Abingdon and a related federal investigation,” the release stated. “Investigation revealed that Lakin Garrett had fired a pistol at a victim as part of a drug-related dispute.”

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.