EASTON, Pa. — A Bethlehem Schools resource officer and soccer coach pleaded guilty Wednesday to having sex with a 14-year-old middle school student, authorities said.
Officer Costas Alestas, 43, of Palmer Township, entered the plea before Northampton County Judge Samuel P. Murray.
He admitted guilt to charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and invasion of privacy, the Northampton County District Attorney's Office said in a release.
Alestas faces 11 to 21 years in prison and will have to register as a Megan's Law sex offender for the rest of his life, according to the release.
"The Bethlehem Police Department takes allegations of professional conduct and public trust violations seriously. Any behavior that undermines public trust or violates the law will be swiftly and decisively addressed."Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott at the time of Costas Alestas's arrest
Alestas' bail was revoked and he was sent to county prison while awaiting sentencing, scheduled for July 18.
Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott said last May that Alestas was fired following an internal investigation. A 17-year veteran of the force, he was East Hills' school resource officer for six years and had an exemplary record, she said.
"The Bethlehem Police Department takes allegations of professional conduct and public trust violations seriously," Kott said at the time.
"Any behavior that undermines public trust or violates the law will be swiftly and decisively addressed."
Details of crimes
Police said they were notified May 1, 2024, by Bethlehem Area School District personnel of allegations of a relationship between a middle school student and Alestas, who also coached the East Hills Middle School co-ed soccer team.
Police said Alestas committed sex acts with the girl in the boys’ locker room during a school dance while he was working and in uniform.
He also allegedly took an “upskirt type video” of an 11-year-old on the same date.
Police said Alestas later committed other acts in his Jeep with the 14-year-old victim in the parking lot of Green Pond Country Club in Bethlehem Township, on April 11; and in his Nissan at the William Penn Park and Ride in the township.
An analysis of Alestas’ phone showed about 4,980 messages exchanged with the 14-year-old, and 49 phone calls, since March 26, according to a police affidavit.
They would have secret meetings and conversations in Alestas’ school office in which Alestas kissed and touched her with her clothes on, according to the affidavit.
Police said that evolved into the child undressing in the office and Alestas viewing her naked body.
Police said at the time they were investigating whether there were other victims, but made no reference to that Wednesday in the news release.
