BELLEFONTE, PA — Authorities are investigating the sudden death of a Pennsylvania man who was found unresponsive in his cell at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Benner Township on Saturday. The incident has triggered a mandatory state police probe as officials work to determine the cause of death.
Emergency Response at SCI Benner Township
Superintendent Bradley M. Booher confirmed in a press release that Keith Levan, 40, originally of Columbia County, was discovered by prison staff on Saturday. Upon finding him unresponsive, prison personnel immediately notified emergency responders and began life-saving measures.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC), staff continued resuscitation efforts until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived on the scene. Following a consultation with medical professionals at Mount Nittany Medical Center, Levan was officially pronounced dead.
State Police Investigation Underway
As per standard operating procedure in Pennsylvania state prisons, any inmate death must be thoroughly investigated by an outside agency. State Police at Rockview have taken the lead on the case.
As of Monday, the following details remain unconfirmed:
- Foul Play: It is not yet clear if investigators suspect any criminal activity or conflict leading up to the death.
- Coroner’s Report: The Centre County Coroner’s Office has not yet released a formal cause or manner of death.
- Official Statements: Messages left with a state police spokesperson and the coroner’s office were not immediately returned.
Who was Keith Levan?
Levan had been a resident of the state prison system for several years. His most recent legal troubles stemmed from a May 2023 conviction in Pennsylvania, where he pleaded guilty to two felony counts for failing to register as a sex offender and failing to verify his information with the Pennsylvania State Police.
For these crimes, Levan was serving a sentence of four to 10 years. Records show he had only recently been transferred to SCI Benner Township on February 3, after being moved from SCI Houtzdale in Clearfield County.
A Complex Legal History: The Alford Plea
Levan’s criminal history dates back over a decade, involving a notable legal maneuver known as an “Alford Plea.” In June 2013, he entered this specific plea in North Carolina regarding charges of indecent liberties with a child.
What is an Alford Plea? In the American legal system, an Alford Plea is a unique arrangement where a defendant:
- Does not admit guilt for the crime.
- Acknowledges that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to likely win a conviction at trial.
- Accepts the sentencing as if they had pleaded guilty or been found guilty by a jury.
This plea allowed Levan to maintain his innocence while avoiding the uncertainty of a full trial in the North Carolina case, though it still resulted in his requirement to register as a sexual offender—a requirement he eventually failed to meet in Pennsylvania.
Community and Facility Context
SCI Benner Township is a medium-security facility located in Centre County. The facility often sees inmate transfers from nearby SCI Rockview and SCI Houtzdale. Deaths within the state system are closely monitored by advocacy groups, and the results of the Rockview State Police investigation will be critical in determining if there were any lapses in medical care or security protocols.
As of Monday evening, Levan’s public defender had not commented on the passing of his client.
What do you think? Should prison death investigations be handled by independent boards instead of state police? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
