A sharpened piece of wood found at the Menard Correctional Facility in Chester has led to a weapons charge against of its inmates.

37 year old Thomas Crites appeared in court Friday on the class one felony charge.

According to prosecutors, the makeshift weapon was found clogging Crites’ toilet after he had attempted to flush it.

He is currently serving time for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

He was scheduled to be released in February of 2018.

If convicted however, Crites may serve an additional 4 – 15 years behind bars.