SUNBURY, Pa. — A former corrections officer accused of raping several women in central Pennsylvania has been found guilty on all 43 counts against him, including rape and kidnapping.
It took a jury in Northumberland County about one hour to decide the fate of former prison guard John Kurtz.
Kurtz would not answer our questions as he was taken from the Northumberland County Courthouse. The 46-year-old former corrections officer at SCI Coal Township was found guilty of all 43 charges, including the rape, kidnapping, and attempted kidnapping of five women.
The incidents happened at homes in Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia Counties between 2012 and 2017.
Two of the women testified they were bound and gagged at their homes, taken to another location, and raped.
The jury heard testimony from more than 30 witnesses over five days. They heard closing arguments Wednesday morning from both the prosecution and defense.
According to prosecutors, binding and kidnapping were part of a fantasy for Kurtz. Prosecutors said Kurtz confessed to state police the day he was arrested, telling them he hid in the basement of one of his victim's homes for several hours.
Troopers used Kurtz's cigarette butts to match DNA left on the victims.
The defense argued that Kurtz's confession was coerced and said the DNA evidence was not reliable.
The judge said Kurtz will be sentenced within 90 days.