A Butler County Prison inmate accused of stabbing a man to death was found with two metal shanks, according to Butler County detectives.

Richard A. Swann II, 37, of Butler, was charged Tuesday, April 28, with two misdemeanor counts of possession of weapons by an inmate following a March 30 incident.

Detectives said jail staff was informed an inmate in a specific cell had a metal shank. Swann was one of the inmates searched and admitted to having weapons, detectives said.

One 3-inch shank was found in Swann’s sock and another was found in his shirt pocket. Detectives said the shanks were made from a metal medical staple removal tool that had been split into two pieces.

Swann was charged Feb. 23 with homicide, robbery, aggravated assault and theft following the murder of James P. Hoover, 69, in Butler. Police said Swann hit Hoover multiple times in the head and body with an aluminum bat then stabbed him in the back multiple times as he attempted to escape.

Swann’s preliminary hearing regarding the weapons possession charges is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. May 11 before District Judge William Fullerton. A status conference regarding his other charges is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 1 in Butler County Common Pleas Courtroom 2.