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While employed at the Lycoming County Prison's pre-release center, Robert David Harvey made inappropriate sexual remarks to at least two female inmates on several occasions between mid-April 2025 and May of this year, it was alleged in court documents recently made public.
Harvey, 47, of 1071 State Home Road, Montgomery, has been arrested on a felony charge of institutional sexual assault and a misdemeanor charge of official suppression. The charges were filed by county Detective Loretta Badger.
One victim reported that between mid-February and May 19 of this year, Harvey "repeatedly directed unwanted and sexually inappropriate comments toward her, including one remark in which he said 'I can't walk behind you no more. I just want to grab a hold of that —,'" the detective alleged in a criminal complaint.
Badger also alleged that Harvey "further subjected the victim to unwanted physical contact by kissing her without her consent."
The detective also alleged that Harvey "took advantage of his official capacity, subjecting both women to mistreatment and infringing on their personal rights."
Badger also alleges that Harvey told the victims that "they could be returned to prison and lose their job at any time" and that "he possessed authority or influence over their custodial status," it was stated in the court document.
When the detective's investigation first began in mid-May, Harvey was suspended from his position. He resigned from the prison staff weeks later, Badger said she was told.
Some of Harvey's alleged inappropriate remarks and behavior took place away from the pre-release center while the victims were en route to or returning from job sites, Badger said.
One of Harvey's responsibilities was in assisting transporting pre-release center inmates to job sites.
On one occasion, while Harvey and one of the victims were together in a vehicle, "Harvey grabbed her and stated 'Oh, look, you got small hands.' Harvey then touched her hair, telling her that her hair was 'gorgeous,'" it was stated in an affidavit.
One of the women told Badger that Harvey's alleged sexual harassment of her was "one of the hardest things she ever went through in her life." The inmate told the detective, "It was constant."
Following his recent arraignment before District Judge Gary Whiteman, Harvey was released on $15,000.