Former Pennsylvania officer charged with sexual assault of student – NBC10 Philadelphia

A former Bethlehem police officer is charged with multiple felonies for allegedly sexually harassing a student — and filming another — at a middle school where he worked, according to court documents.

Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta, along with Bethlehem police officials, announced plans to file charges of sexual assault, sexual contact with a student, aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, invasion of privacy and related charges against 43-year-old officer Costas Alestas related crimes, from Easton, during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

According to court documents, the allegations involved Alestas’ interactions with at least two victims – ages 14 and 11.

Allegations against Alestas

The investigation into the allegations against Alestas initially began on May 1, according to court documents, after officials learned of interactions he allegedly had with a student at East Hills Middle School, where he was assigned as a school resource officer.

According to the documents, Alestas gave the middle school student his personal cell phone number and the two began communicating in February until the victim’s mother found messages in the child’s phone.

Still, court documents say Alestas told the victim he would “consider another way to communicate with them.”

In the coming weeks, court documents say, text messages turned into secret meetings in which Alestas allegedly kissed, groped and stripped the victim naked in his office at school.

Finally, court documents state that Alestas sexually assaulted the child in his office while wearing his police uniform.

Additionally, the documents allege that Alestas took the victim to secluded locations during repeated after-school meetings – including the country club parking lot in Bethlehem and a park-and-ride lot in Easton, based on evidence which the police said they had received from Alestas’ house. Cell phone – where further attacks would occur.

The allegations against a second victim stem from an “upskirt” video made by a student at the school where Alestas worked, which police allegedly found on his cellphone, according to court documents.

“We didn’t see that coming.”

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Knott said Wednesday that Alestas was fired from the police force following an internal investigation.

“We understand the concern this incident may cause among parents, students and the community at large,” she said, noting that the allegations against Alestas did not reflect the conduct of the rest of her department.

“We didn’t see that coming,” she said.

District Attorney Baratta said the allegations against Alestas were troubling and he feared there could be more victims.

“There may have been additional children contacted,” he said, noting that the district recently investigated another school resource officer in a similar situation.

He called for an “absolute policy with no exceptions” that would prohibit school resource officers from having one-on-one meetings with students alone in their offices.

Even in situations where an officer is investigating a crime, school resource officers are required to interview students in the presence of other adults, Baratta said.

“There is no reason for a school resource officer to be placed in an office alone with a student,” he said.

Court documents state that Alestas is currently incarcerated in the Northampton County Jail after being unable to post $500,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

On Wednesday afternoon, Alestas’ attorney, George S. Nassif, said his client – and his client’s family – would ask the public to respect their privacy during the ongoing investigation.

“My client and his family would like to ask the public to respect their privacy during this ongoing investigation. Costas enjoys the presumption of innocence and has pleaded not guilty at this time,” Nassif wrote in a statement to NBC10.

The Bethlehem Area School District said Tuesday that it is investigating after learning of an alleged relationship between a student in the district and a school resource officer.

According to the school district, in a letter to parents – which did not identify Alestas by name – he served as an officer and football coach at East Hills Middle School: “The alleged inappropriate behavior violates the community’s trust in our schools and undermines safety and security.” illegal, intolerable and inexcusable,” the letter said. “The physical and emotional safety of our students has been and continues to be BASD’s top priority.”

This is breaking news. It will be updated as new information becomes available.

Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.