Pennsylvania man dies while incarcerated at Benner Township state prison
A Pennsylvania man incarcerated at Benner Township state prison died Saturday, the prison’s top official said in a press release.
Keith Levan, 40, of Columbia County, was found unresponsive in his cell Saturday and was later pronounced dead by emergency medical service personnel following a consultation with officials at Mount Nittany Medical Center, Superintendent Bradley M. Booher said.
Emergency personnel were notified and performed life-saving measures until EMS arrived, the state Department of Corrections said.
State police at Rockview said Tuesday that Levan died by suicide and there was no foul play. Troopers reviewed video footage and said Levan was alone in his cell when he died. The investigation is ongoing.
Levan pleaded guilty in May 2023 to a pair of felonies for failing to register as a sexual offender and verify his information with the Pennsylvania State Police. He previously entered an Alford plea in June 2013 to indecent liberties with a child in North Carolina.
Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence for a conviction.
For his convictions in Pennsylvania, Levan was serving four to 10 years in state prison. A message left Monday with his public defender was not immediately returned.
Levan had been at the prison since Feb. 3 after being transferred from Houtzdale state prison in Clearfield County.
This story was originally published April 13, 2026 at 1:14 PM.