Counselor accused of relationship with state prisoner
Semelsberger charged with institutional sexual assault
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An Ebensburg woman faces charges after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a state prison inmate.
Laurie Semelsberger, 60, was working as a psychological services associate at the State Correctional Institution at Somerset and would counsel the inmate, according to court documents.
In August, police began an investigation into the relationship between Semelsberger and an inmate by looking into a number the inmate added to his call list in January. More than 700 calls were made between the inmate and the number, police reported.
Police identified Semelsberger as the one the inmate was calling after monitoring some of the calls, noting that Semelsberger gave identifiable information over the phone, such as her vacation and her job application to a school district in the Johnstown area. Police also noted that some of the calls placed were sexual in nature, WTAJ reported.
During an Aug. 3 interview with police, Semelsberger allegedly admitted to her relationship with the inmate, according to court documents. She allegedly confessed that in March, the two went to the program's office where they had oral sex. Their relationship began in October 2021, according to police.
In addition, Semelsberger allegedly received sheet music from the inmate's brother on two occasions. Police said the paper tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids or K2.
Police reported finding nude photographs of Semelsberger after searching the inmate's belongings on Aug. 4.
Semelsberger was arraigned Friday before Magisterial District Judge Sandra Stevanus on a felony charge of institutional sexual assault and misdemeanor charges of obstruction, official oppression and delivering obscene mail to an inmate.
All charges were waived for court. She was released on unsecured bail of $10,000.
Formal arraignment is set for Nov. 28 in Courtroom 3 before Judge D. Gregory Geary. Call of the criminal trial list is set for Jan. 31, 2023.