From Staff Reports
State and county prisons are facing COVID-19 outbreaks, with the state Department of Corrections and SCI Muncy officials report the first death of an inmate with COVID-19 on Monday.
The 62-year-old inmate, whose name will not be provided, was serving a 10- to 40-year sentence for burglary.
She had underlying medical conditions and was taken to the hospital on Jan. 20, a news release from the state Department of Corrections said. She tested positive for COVID-19 while at the hospital. She had been at SCI Muncy since April 2013.
“We are experiencing the same thing that our counties are experiencing, and we are following very strict procedures to mitigate the virus’ impact on our state prisons,” Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said, according to the news release. “I’ve directed our staff to act aggressively and quickly when inmates report influenza-like illnesses, and that includes isolating and quarantining inmates, locking down units or entire priso
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Reginald Morton, 35, of 727 West Fourth St., allegedly sold crack cocaine and methamphetamine to a confidential police informant back in summer of 2020.
The transactions allegedly occurred at Morton’s shared home with Tara Mcleod and three juveniles, according to a detective with the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit.
On June 23, 2020, Morton sold 2.15 grams of crack cocaine to a confidential informant at his home on West Fourth Street, according to an NEU detective.
Meanwhile, on July 22., Morton sold another gram of crack cocaine and a gram of methamphetamine to a confidential information.
Authorities executed a search warrant on the residence later July 22, and allegedly found the phone used to arrange the controlled buys as well as paraphernalia such as digital scales and packaging material.
Eddie Johnson, 34, of 1500 High Street, allegedly stabbed a victim several times while high on methamphetamine, according to city police. The victim’s girlfr
Hasaan Taylor, 20, of Philadelphia, allegedly sold fentanyl to an undercover detective last March, according to the Lycoming County District Attorney office.
SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Lycoming County Prison inmates have tested positive for COVID, according to a news release by Matthew McDermott, administrative director, Lycoming County Government.
“Over the past two days, five Lycoming County Prison inmates have tested positive for COVID. Each inmate is being closely monitored by prison medical staff. At this juncture, none have required hospitalization or care at an outside medical facility.
In response, the prison has increased screening of the inmate population, increased testing, and has increased already-enhanced cleaning protocols. Prison administration is in communication with an epidemiologist at the Pennsylvania Department of Health who works with corrections departments.