A Butler County Prison inmate is accused of possessing two shanks in his cell.

County detectives said they found Darin R. Shay, 49, of Clearfield Township earlier this month with the rudimentary weapons — pieces of epoxy flooring with pointy edges.

The larger of the two pieces, according to investigators, was “sharp to a point.”

District Judge William Fullerton arraigned Shay Tuesday on charges of possession of a weapon or implement of escape by an inmate and criminal mischief. He remains in the prison on $35,000 bail.

He's been behind bars since Sept. 7 when state police say he pointed a revolver at another man and threatened to kill his girlfriend at his home.

Authorities said the defendant was being held in the restricted housing unit on Sept. 11 when prison officials were told he had a weapon in his cell.

Correction officers searched the cell and found a piece of flooring under the bunk bed. The tile, detectives noted, was sharp enough that it was “capable of causing substantial damage to a person.”

Officers found a second piece of flooring that was inside a book in the cell. The defendant allegedly acknowledged that he used a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste to pry off the tile.

“Shay admitted to damaging the cell,” according to charging documents, “and stated that he wanted the pieces for a sample to have the same flooring put into his garage at home.”

His preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 23.

In the other case that landed the defendant in prison, police said he is accused of threatening to shoot and kill his girlfriend during an altercation at their home on Irwin Road.

Police also charged him with pointing a .22-caliber revolver at the man. No injuries were reported.

He is charged with felonies not to possess firearms, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault and reckless endangerment.

Darin Shay