Gustafson Charged With Possession Of Deadly Weapon

Matthew Curtis Gustafson is facing the felony charge of possession of a deadly weapon by a prisoner in a facility along with the misdemeanor charges of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and criminal mischief.

According to court documents, a Roosevelt County maintenance worker spoke to a deputy regarding concerns after noticing a metal faceplate cover was missing from an electrical outlet in the jail’s medical cell. The worker said he knows the rigid stainless steel faceplate could be used as a deadly weapon inside the jail and was afraid an inmate may have possession of the item.

The deputy spoke with detention staff and learned that Gustafson was recently moved to the work release pod from the medical cell, where he had been placed for disciplinary segregation.

Upon reviewing security footage, the deputy observed Gustafson using considerable effort to pry off the faceplate on July 30. After removing the faceplate, he flattened it out and used an adhesive label that he removed from his mattress as improvised tape to conceal the faceplate under a nearby metal table.

Gustafson had the faceplate in his possession in the medical cell until he was moved to the work release pod on July 31. Gustafson led the faceplate in the medical cell. It was still there when a detention officer found it taped under the medical cell table during an inspection on Aug. 6.

Officials note that Gustafson was suspected of fashioning a weapon out of a used razor blade when he was incarcerated in the Roosevelt County jail about 10 months ago.

When a deputy questioned Gustafson about the faceplate, Gustafson admitted that he knew he could get in trouble for possessing the faceplate and taped it under the table so he would not get caught with the item.