Williamsport, Pa. — A lawsuit filed in March by Krista Crabtree, a former inmate at the State Correctional Institute at Muncy, alleges that she was sexually assaulted by a shop teacher and that the prison environment fostered a culture of abuse that made such incidents possible.
Crabtree’s lawsuit names seven defendants, including the estate of Michael Anthony “Tony” Wright, who was the building trades and custodial maintenance teacher at the facility until his retirement on April 13, 2023. Notably, Wright passed away just three days after his retirement and three days after the last alleged incident involving Crabtree, where she claims she was subjected to severe sexual and physical harassment over months.
In addition to Wright’s estate, the lawsuit targets several key figures in the facility, including Superintendent Wendy Nicholas and Deputy Superintendent for Centralized Services Bill Frantz. Several unnamed individuals, referred to as “John Doe,” are also implicated; these individuals comprise various roles in the administration, including a corrections officer and a business manager.
The allegations put forth in the 38-page document indicate that Crabtree, who began her sentence in December 2012, frequently worked alone with Wright in the classroom. Over 20 months of interaction, she asserts that he physically groped her and forced her into sexual acts on five separate occasions while they were unsupervised. The final alleged incident occurred on April 10, 2023, shortly before he retired.
Crabtree claims that not only did her trauma stem from Wright’s actions, but also from the inaction of other staff members. According to the lawsuit, when other staff members entered the classroom during one incident of assault, they failed to intervene; instead, Frantz and the compliance manager for the Prison Rape Elimination Act, Angel Baez Sprague, reportedly only logged their visit and left.
The complaint argues that the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and officials at the Muncy facility contributed to a persistent abuse environment. The lawsuit highlights a culture of neglect, suggesting that many officials were aware of Wright’s behavior or should have been aware, yet did nothing to protect the inmates.
The emotional toll on Crabtree is evident; she reports experiencing trauma, nightmares, and constant anxiety about her safety following the abuse. Initially reluctant to come forward, she eventually confided in a cellmate, fearing retaliation from prison staff who were known to have perpetrated similar abuses against other inmates.
The case also reflects broader issues within the Muncy facility, as past reports and allegations have indicated a pattern of sexual abuse and misconduct involving prison staff towards inmates. A related case this year involved another former inmate, Miranda Barbour, who accused her parole agent of sexual abuse. That agent was recently sentenced to two years in prison.
Crabtree’s lawsuit consists of 11 counts, claiming negligence on the part of DOC officials for failing to appropriately hire and manage staff, specifically citing Wright’s continued employment despite his alleged tendencies. She is seeking compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to the trauma she suffered.
With the ongoing legal battles and investigations into the Muncy facility’s practices, this case raises significant questions about inmate safety and the responsivity of the corrections system in safeguarding those in custody.
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