EBENSBURG — A Western Pennsylvania Amish farmer was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days in jail after refusing to bring a pair of outhouses into compliance with state sewage laws.

Andy Swartzentruber of Ebensburg cited his conservative religious beliefs in refusing to abide by a court order to make the privies used by schoolchildren compliant and pay a $500 fine.

Cambria County Judge Norman Krumenacker said he respected the Amish's religious beliefs but had no choice but to sentence Swartzentruber to jail and fine him $1,000 for being in contempt of court.

"Quite frankly, this is not a religious issue," Krumenacker said.

He also ordered the Amish school and outhouses on Swartzentruber's former property padlocked. About 18 children attend the school.

Swartzentruber said little when brought before the judge. About a dozen other Amish men and women sat in the gallery.

"I will take a stand for my religion," he said in a low voice.

The case against church elder Sam Yoder was dismissed after Krumenacker ruled the responsibility ultimately fell on Swartzentruber, who owned the Barr Township property at the time of the complaint.

Tuesday's hearing gave the Amish a last opportunity to abide by the regulations. Jim Stratton, the Amish's court-appointed defense attorney, said the court had given his clients ample opportunity to try and negotiate a compromise.

The defendant is a member of the Swartzentruber Amish sect. While all Amish shun the modern world, the Swartzentrubers are known for their more severe restrictions on technology and interaction with the outside world.

In the courtroom after Swartzentruber was taken away, Yoder said his community still had no intention of complying.