CLEARFIELD — A former sergeant at the state prison in Houtzdale pleaded guilty Friday in Clearfield County Court to lesser charges for strangling an inmate and intimidating witnesses.

Steven Paul Poborsky, 43, of South Fork, was originally charged with three felony counts of intimidating witness/victim, as well as misdemeanor counts of strangulation, official oppression, and simple assault for an incident at the prison on Feb. 13, 2023.

Poborsky was sentenced by President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to serve two years probation for misdemeanor counts of strangulation, simple assault, official oppression and a summary harassment charge.

Prior to sentencing, his attorney, William A. Shaw Jr., noted that Poborsky, who lost his job and pension, was a lifelong state employee.

Poborsky apologized, saying this was “my mistake.” He went on to say he is a recovering alcoholic and not the same person he was when the incidents occurred.

“I won’t be that person again.”

According to the affidavit of probable cause, an inmate who had an injury to his finger due to suspected abuse from the staff was taken for treatment. While he was in the examination room, sitting on the exam table, Poborsky and a nurse entered the room.

The nurse asked him how the injury occurred and when he began to explain, Poborsky reportedly asked him, “You want to start making false claims? Is that where you want to take it?” He then allegedly grabbed the inmate by the throat and pushed him back onto the exam table, forcing him to lay flat on his back.

The other correction officers in the room pulled Poborsky off the victim. After this, the inmate refused further assessment of his injury.

The inmate told investigators that he felt intimidated by Poborsky, who afterward followed him back to his cell.

Later, one of the correction officers said Poborksy told him he would be kicked out and labeled as a “rat” for the rest of his career if he said anything about the incident.

The nurse also reported feeling threatened by Poborsky, who immediately told her she did “not see anything.” Because of the alleged intimidation, neither of them reported the assault.