Ex-trooper sentenced to a year in prison, no contact for sexual misconduct

Richard Keener, 40, of Bellefonte, PA was sentenced to a year in jail and a $1000 fine for charges of simple assault, unlawful restraint, indecent assault and disorderly conduct by Clinton County Judge Judge J. Michael Williamson Wednesday, May 28. He was a state trooper before the misconduct charges and his guilty plea, which averted a trial that would have started May 29.

Keener was stationed at the state police barracks in Lamar when he was charged last year with felony rape and sexual assault for the encounter with the woman while off-duty in May 2006.He met the woman and a female friend at a bar in Lock Haven before accompanying them to the woman’s apartment early the next morning, authorities said.

Keener had consumed a “significant amount of alcohol,” according to a statement last year from Attorney General Tom Corbett’s office.The case was referred by Clinton County District Attorney Ted McKnight’s office to the attorney general because McKnight had worked with Keener on prior prosecutions.

Keener said the incident resulted in bankruptcy and loss of career, and apologized to both his victim and his family.

“I lost my job and my career. I’m in bankruptcy. ... This is more than a reasonable sentence. I’m sorry for anything that caused you harm.”