By JOSH COTTON

jcotton@timesobserver.com

The man who helped Michael Burham escape from the Warren County Jail was sentenced to state prison Friday morning.

George A. Flasher, 22, Warren, was sentenced by President Judge Maureen Skerda.

Flasher’s attorney, Elizabeth Feronti, said her client’s “colossally stupid” conduct is what brought him here.

Charges were filed back in October by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

Police state in the affidavit of probable cause that Flasher was interviewed by police on July 12.

Flasher told police that “Burham approached him and requested his assistance in obtaining bed sheets to enable Burham to escape” and that Flasher “admitted that he calculated the length of rope Burham would need to repel down the outside wall.”

According to the affidavit, Flasher estimated the height of the building and the number of bed sheets that would be needed to make a said rope.

“The bed sheets are six feet long so Flasher stated, at a minimum, Burham would need nine sheets,” the affidavit states, “but 10 to 12 sheets would be ideal for extra length and strength of the rope.”

Flasher told police he was able to do the calculations based on knowledge gained from his father’s Florida-based construction company.

“Flasher admitted to providing Burham with two bed sheets,” the affidavit further states. “Additionally, Flasher admitted to knowing where Burham kept the ripped sheets in the Warren County Prison.”

Police say he also made a stunning claim: “Flasher stated that every inmate knew about the deficiency in the roof of the yard where Burham ultimately escaped.”

Feronti said her client is “taking responsibility for his actions” and “did not want to delay the matter,” entering a plea back in January.

She said that Flasher probably did not think his actions would lead to what they did.

“What happened was a big deal throughout the state,” he said. “He understands the severity of his actions.”

Flasher said that he “takes full responsibility” for how his conduct “impacted the community.

“It led to the escape of an inmate,” he said. “I’m sorry for what I did.”

“You’ve continued to act out,” Skerda said, citing his behavior in the jail.

Finding that he “failed to adjust” in the county system, Skerda sentenced Flasher to 14 to 48 months incarceration in state prison with credit for 131 days time served as well as $2,175 in fines and fees, priority for mental health treatment in the state system and submission of a DNA sample on a count of conspiracy (escape).

“You need help,” Skerda said. “You have a lifetime ahead of you.”