SOMERSET, Pa. (WTAJ) — A prisoner at SCI Laurel Highlands who was sentenced on charges involving the sexual assault of someone under 16 was found dead in his cell over the weekend.
Joseph Warrne, 36, of Meadville, was found unresponsive in his cell Saturday, July 11, according to Superintendent M. Hainsworth. Prison staff and medical personnel responded and provided life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Warren was pronounced dead at 11:26 a.m.
Warren was serving a sentence of up to 12 and a half years after pleading guilty in 2017 to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated assault of someone under 16, and statutory sexual assault by someone 8-11 years older in Crawford County.
Hainsworth said Warren had been at SCI Laurel Highlands since March 13.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating. The Somerset County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause of death.
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