School official charged with sexually assaulting 14-year-old student in Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, Pa – A middle school officer faces multiple charges for sexually assaulting a student, officials say.

According to police, 43-year-old Costas Alestas worked as a school resource officer at East Hills Middle School in Bethlehem. Alestas was also a football coach. According to police, he is accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student.

Alestas was charged with statutory sexual assault, sexual intercourse/contact with a student at school, aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, criminal use of communication facilities and invasion of privacy.

A statement released Wednesday by the Bethlehem Area School District said the district was made aware of the allegations surrounding Officer Alestas on Monday, April 29, when a student shared information with their guidance counselor.

The guidance counselor then immediately informed the school management and contacted Childline, which began an investigation. The next day, the same counselor also filed a report with Northampton County Children and Youth to continue the investigation.

On May 1, the district notified Bethlehem Police of the reported allegations and referral to children and youth.

On May 2, investigators spoke with the victim and she revealed that she had been involved in constant communication with Alestas while she was in school. She said the resource officer gave her his personal cell phone number.

Officials say the victim’s mother discovered text messages on her phone at one point, and when Alestas found out about them, he began using a second phone number to communicate with the victim.

The girl stated that this communication with Alestas included, among other things, conversations about sexual acts.

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As communication between the man and the minor continued, several encounters occurred in which sexual contact occurred between the two. The victim reported that these encounters occurred both at school during the school day and in Alestas’ personal vehicle after school hours.

One incident occurred at school during a school dance while Alestas was on duty and wearing the police uniform.

After a thorough search of her two cell phones, investigators found evidence that Alestas and the victim were communicating with each other. This evidence included information corroborating the victim’s statements to police.

Investigators also found a video recording on Alestas’ phone taken at East Hills Middle School that showed a second victim’s private area under the victim’s outer clothing. This video was recorded without the victim’s knowledge as she walked down a hallway.

The Bethlehem Police Department and the school district worked together to place Officer Alestas on leave from both organizations.

The district disabled the Alestas’ access to all district resources and immediately shared all reported information with Bethlehem police.

Alestas remains in the Northampton County Jail and bond has been set at $500,000.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 28.

Anyone with further information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Bethlehem Police at 610-865-7000 or [email protected]. Anonymous information can also be provided via our TipLine at 610-691-6660.