Ex-Corrections Officer Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 2 Inmates Reaches Plea Deal

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A former Allegheny County corrections officer accused of sexually assaulting two female inmates has agreed to a plea deal.

On Wednesday, 35-year-old Joshua Reber pleaded guilty to two counts of official oppression. According to the district attorney, two counts of institutional sexual assault were withdrawn.

During a preliminary hearing earlier this year, the two victims testified that their encounters with Reber began with notes and flirtations. However, they evolved into kissing, groping and sexual acts.

One of the victims testified that the sexual acts led to more favorable inmate work assignments, which could mean more freedom and more benefits like access to coffee, tobacco products and even contraband and disposing of the contraband before shakedowns.

In the courtroom Wednesday, one of the victims read letters to both Allegheny County Judge Edward Borkowski and to Reber himself.

She expressed her disgust in the plea deal and in Reber's actions. She described Reber as an abusive man who stripped her of her dignity and self-worth.

The other victim in the case was also in the courtroom.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2017.

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