Terre Haute, Indiana – In a shocking and brutal crime, Lawrence Taylor, aged 44, has been sentenced to life in prison for the vicious stabbing of his cellmate 43 times at the federal prison in Terre Haute. The murder took place on January 12, 2019, when Taylor attacked 36-year-old Jan Stevens, who tragically lost his life as a result of the attack. Taylor, who was serving time for bank robberies, admitted to the crime, revealing that he had been planning it for months.
Both Taylor and Stevens were housed in the Special Housing Unit at the Federal Correctional Complex, where the incident unfolded. A prison staff member discovered Stevens lying on a bunk with severe injuries, leading to his passing the following day. The FBI conducted an investigation, during which Taylor confessed to using a weapon he had kept concealed for months to carry out the deadly assault.
John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, condemned Taylor’s actions as heinous, justifying the imposition of a life sentence. He praised the FBI, corrections officers, and federal prosecutors for their diligent pursuit of justice in the case. FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton also expressed the FBI’s commitment to seeking justice for all victims, even those incarcerated in federal facilities.
Taylor’s initial sentence for bank robberies in 2009 would have seen his release in 2031, but the severity of his new crime ensured that he will now spend the remainder of his life behind bars. The murder of Jan Stevens not only took a life but also devastated those close to him, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of his loved ones. The FBI, in collaboration with the Bureau of Prisons and other law enforcement agencies, remains dedicated to investigating and holding accountable those who perpetrate violent acts within correctional facilities.