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PHOENIX (AP) - A Mesa City Jail inmate is accused of making a weapon from a broken light fixture.

Mesa police say 27-year-old Joshua Lynn Carlson broke a light fixture inside the jail on Monday and then used the metal backing to create a shank made for stabbing.

The Arizona Republic (http://bit.ly/ZwQqDS) says the metal shank and several sharp pointed pieces of plastic from the fixture were found in Carlson's pocket by jail staff.

Carlson told police he made the shank to protect himself.

Authorities say he will face charges of possession of contraband and destruction of jail property.

It was unclear Wednesday what offense Carlson was originally jailed on and when he was taken into custody.