ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, May 3, 1996                    TAG: 9605030074
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-3  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA
SOURCE: Associated Press

FBI: GUARD HID GUN IN LUNCH BAG PRISON EMPLOYEE FACES FELONY CHARGE

A guard at the Lorton Correctional Complex is accused of trying to smuggle a loaded handgun into the prison in his lunch bag.

Lewis Saunders, 33, was charged with one count of trying to introduce contraband into the prison, a felony punishable by a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said.

Saunders reported to work Tuesday night with the antique gun hidden beneath a sandwich, the FBI said.

The prison holds inmates from the District of Columbia.

Saunders immediately was placed on administrative leave with pay and probably will be fired within a week, city Corrections Director Margaret A. Moore said.

Saunders is being held until a preliminary hearing today in U.S. District Court.

Saunders carried five rounds of ammunition as well as the loaded FBI spokeswoman Susan Lloyd.

LENGTH: Short :   32 lines