EBENSBURG, Pa. – A western Pennsylvania Amish farmer was ordered to spend 90 days in jail after refusing to bring a pair of outhouses into compliance with state sewage laws.
Andy Swartzentruber, of Ebensburg, cites his conservative religious beliefs for refusing to abide by a court order to make the privies used by schoolchildren compliant and pay a $500 fine.
He was led away by a sheriff's deputy after Cambria County Judge Norman Krumenacker on Tuesday upheld a contempt of court ruling.
The dispute dates back a couple of years. Krumenacker says he had no choice but to sentence Swartzentruber to jail and pay a $1,000 fine. He also ordered the Amish school and outhouse padlocked.
Swartzentruber can be released early if he complies within the 90 days.
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