SUNBURY — A Northumberland County prison guard faces charges of obstruction of justice after police say she fled during a drug investigation at the jail. According to Northumberland County DA Tony Matulewicz, Shamokin District Judge John Gembic issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for the charges against Holly Olvany, of Sunbury.
In April of 2017, Northumberland County Prison Board in a split vote decided to not fire Olvany after a federal jury said she violated the rights of a former county inmate by abusing her in 2013. Commissioners Sam Schiccatano and Kymberley Best abstained because Best represented the inmate, Stephanie Olin.
Olin was awarded $7,500 in the suit. Best however, says she warned the prison board about Olvany, and she should’ve been fired in 2017. Best says the majority of the prison board ignored her warnings and the verdict of a federal grand jury. She says she is re-calling for Olvany’s termination effective immediately. See Best’s full statement below.
Olvany is charged with misdemeanor counts of Recklessly Endangering Persons, Disorderly Conduct and Obstructing Administration of Law or Governmental Function along with other charges. The substances found in Olvany’s possession are being sent to the Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Services Laboratory for analysis and identification. The Daily Item reports Olvany was released on $20,000 unsecured bail after her arraignment in Judge Gembic’s office Thursday morning.
Northumberland County Minority Commissioner Kym Best full statement:
“This officer should have absolutely been fired in 2017 .” The majority of the prison board ignored my warnings and the verdict of a federal jury . It is frustratingly unsurprising that we read about these events in the news today.
“I will continue to call out bad employees like Ms. Olvany . Ms. Olvany does not deserve to work shoulder to shoulder with respectable CO’s like Lt. Smink.”
“ I am re-calling for Ms. Olvany’s termination effective immediately. Paid leave is unacceptable for these circumstances .”
