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Ex-Corrections Officer Sentenced To Jail In Inmate Sex Assault Case

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A former Allegheny County Jail Guard is heading to jail after having inappropriate relationships with two female inmates.

His attorney asked the court for probation, but the judge handed down a tougher sentence.

Initially, Joshua Reber was charged with two counts of institutional sexual assault. Investigators said he was having sexual contact with the women in exchange for extra benefits in the jail. In October, those charges were reduced to two counts of official oppression as part of a plea agreement.

Today, the court sentenced Reber to serve six to 20 months in jail followed by two years of probation.

The mistreatment occurred at the Allegheny County Jail in 2015 when 35-year-old Reber was working as a correctional officer.  According to the criminal complaint, both women were housed on Pod 4D, where Reber worked as an officer.

They told investigators Reber had inappropriate sexual contact with them on multiple occasions. Both women told police they continued communicating with Reber even after they were released from jail.

In court, Reber apologized to his wife and family, saying that he made some "regrettable choices" and "…will be ashamed for a long time - probably forever."

One of the victims also spoke, saying that while she led a bad life, she "…did not deserve what happened" to her in the jail.

Reber's attorney, his family and the victim who addressed the court today all very respectfully declined to do any interviews.

Reber has 30 days to report to serve his sentence.

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