Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published January 27, 2023 9:57 A.M.

(New Brighton, PA) A former health care worker at McGuire Memorial in New Brighton has been sentenced to 17 years in a federal prison. Zachary Dinell of Freedom abused at least 13 residents at the medical facility according to federal prosecutors. Dinell and Tyler Smith, another caseworker, were said to also record themselves abusing residents, including kicking, choking, and punching them. Residents of the home are disabled and were unable to defend themselves. U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan sentenced Dinell to serve 17 years in a federal prison on Thursday. Dinell had previously pled guilty to all 12 counts against him in October, which included Conspiracy and violating the Federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Federal charges against Smith are currently pending.