Lake County Jail Inmate Charged After Shank Found In Cell
Devontae Christian Harris, 28, is facing a felony charge after court documents allege correctional officers found an improvised stabbing weapon and tattoo contraband inside his jail cell at the Lake County Jail.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on February 6, 2026 at approximately 8:00 a.m., a corrections officer conducting a watch tour and card count in Z-Pod at the Lake County Jail in Crown Point observed inmate Harris removing material from his cell window. Officers ordered him to remove a torn jail-issued blanket covering the cell light fixture and noted tampering with the fixture.
A complete search of cell ZC-534 revealed an improvised tattoo needle and ink in the cell window. Officers also located a second improvised tattoo needle under Harris’ mattress followed by an improvised stabbing weapon commonly referred to as a “shank” or “shiv.”
Court documents state the weapon consisted of a metal blade sharpened at both ends with a handle fashioned from repeatedly wrapped linen material around the center.
Remains lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charge filed February 19,2026:
• Prisoner Possessing a Deadly Weapon — F4 Felony
