SUNBURY — Two former staff members at the Northumberland County Prison are facing charges following a corruption investigation. According to District Attorney Ann Targonski, complaints were filed today alleging that two former staff members brought tobacco into the facility on multiple occasions between fall 2014 and January 2015. Accused are former correction officer 19-year-old Troy Tafner of Strong and former contract food service employee 32-year-old Susan Studenski of Sunbury.
Detective Degg Stark conducted a three-month investigation into the corruption allegations. Studenski’s affidavit says she was compensated for bringing the tobacco. She reportedly did this between 40 and 50 times and delivered the tobacco to six different inmates. Tafner’s affidavit says that he brought tobacco into the facility but did not receive compensation. Each defendant was charged with one misdemeanor count of “obstructing administration of law or other governmental function.”
Targonski says further investigation into other potentially corrupt prison employees is continuing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the DA’s office. (Codi Jade)