A Gage County judge says a former worker at a Nebraska center for developmentally disabled adults will stay in prison while he appeals his conviction.

District Court Judge Paul Korslund denied Matthew Pangborn's request on Tuesday.

Pangborn was sentenced to 15 to 23 years in prison for beating and choking residents while he worked at the Beatrice State Developmental Center in 2011. He was convicted on nine charges in July, including four counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult.

Pangborn's attorney, Bret McArthur, says an appeal has been filed with the Nebraska Court of Appeals.

Sixteen employees were suspended after an investigation. Five workers were charged. Pangborn was the only one to face trial. The others pleaded to reduced charges.