MINNEAPOLIS — The inmate who allegedly stabbed Derek Chauvin in federal prison last week was identified as John Turscak, according to new charges filed on Friday.
Turscak, who is 52 years old, is facing serious charges, including attempted murder, trying to harm someone, using a dangerous weapon to hurt someone, and causing significant injuries through assault.
Documents allege that he stabbed Chauvin with an “improvised knife” in the law library of the Tuscon Federal Correctional Institution on Nov. 26. In a post-Miranda interview with FBI agents, he said he had been thinking of assaulting Chauvin for approximately one month because of his high-profile nature.
He seized his chance on Black Friday, claiming that he confronted Chauvin on that day as a symbol of support for the Black Lives Matter movement and the “Black Hand” symbol linked to the Mexican Mafia, according to the charges.
Turscak is serving a 30-year prison sentence for carrying out crimes while working as a federal informant.
He joined the Mexican Mafia in 1990 and later became involved in a case in 1999 that led to charges against gang members.
While involved in the mafia, he admitted to approving attacks on people who broke the group’s rules and gathering “taxes” from street gangs and drug dealers. In exchange, they received protection from the Mexican Mafia and permission to be involved in drug trafficking.
He mentioned that in 1990, during his time at Folsom Prison, he admitted to taking someone’s life. Additionally, there are records indicating that he gave the approval for another person to be killed in 1998.
Chauvin was hospitalized following the attack, but was said to be in stable condition as of Saturday.
