Attorney General Michelle Henry and the Pennsylvania State Police have announced charges against a former Lackawanna County police officer. Stephen J. Carroll, who was also a school resource officer at West Scranton High School, faces accusations of sexually abusing five students over several years.
Carroll, aged 49, was a member of the Scranton Police Department during the time of the alleged offenses but is no longer employed there. The charges include rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, official oppression, institutional sexual assault, among others. These charges were filed following an investigation by the Organized Crime Unit of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and are supported by findings from the 52nd Statewide Investigating Grand Jury.
Carroll was arrested and arraigned on Friday morning with bail set at $500,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 3, 2025.
“This public servant took an oath to protect his community and was specifically assigned to look out for the well-being of students — instead he used his position of authority to groom and sexually assault multiple teenagers,” Attorney General Henry stated. “This collaborative investigation uncovered a pattern of abuse that spanned years. I thank the grand jurors who listened to many hours of testimony; their time and effort led to these charges. We will continue to prosecute this case and our efforts to hold this accused predator accountable.”
Captain James Cuttitta from the Pennsylvania State Police emphasized the importance of safeguarding children: “The safety and well-being of our children and students are our highest priority, and any violation of that trust is both deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring that justice is served, and that those in positions of authority are held to the highest standards of conduct. I commend the members of our Bureau of Criminal Investigation for their diligent work during this investigation.”
The alleged criminal acts date back to 2009, occurring at Carroll's home as well as at West Scranton High School. Recent interviews and evidence collection led to this week's charges.
The prosecution team includes Chief Deputy Attorney General Heather Castellino and Senior Deputy Attorney General Helen H. Park. It is important to note that Carroll is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.