PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A former East Hills Middle School resource officer, accused of grooming a 14-year-old student and filming another, is facing sexual assault charges.
"There existed a significant period of inappropriate communication and action that laid the groundwork that helped secure the alleged suspect's goal of having relationships with these young children,” said Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta.
According to the affidavit, 43-year-old Costas Alestas sexually assaulted the 14-year-old girl in his office while he was supposed to be patrolling a school dance, and did so dressed in his full police uniform.
The two also met after school a few times — at one point, Alestas complained about his wife tracking his location.
City of Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott says it wasn’t until another student spoke up that authorities were notified.
"There was a student that confided in a guidance counselor. The guidance counselor took the proper steps, contacted the administration, and the school administration immediately reached out to me,” Kott said.
At the time of his arrest, officials said Alestas had an “upskirt video” of an 11-year-old on his phone.
Baratta says he's concerned about how long others were aware of the alleged behavior.
"These schools may have had complaints about prior activities and concerns that were not presented for investigation," Baratta said.
The school district sent a letter to parents that did not identify Alestas but said he served as a soccer coach at the school in addition to his role as a resource officer.
He is being charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault and other offenses.