WEST CHESTER, PA — The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the West Whiteland Township Police Department announced the arrest Wednesday of 54-year-old John Stevens of West Chester for sexually assaulting two girls and two boys who were between the ages of 5-8 years old. The defendant is charged with multiple counts of aggravated indecent assault of a child, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, and related offenses. He is held at Chester County Prison on $750,000 cash bail set by Magisterial District Judge John Bailey.
“These young and innocent children were violated in unimaginable ways by a person who had a responsibility to keep them safe,” said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. “This horrific betrayal will certainly affect their entire family. We all commend these brave children for their courage to speak up despite the threats they received if they came forward. My office and the West Whiteland Township Police Department are committed to getting justice for these children.”
West Whiteland Police Chief Lee Benson stated, “We believe there may be more victims out there. We are asking the public to come forward if you or anyone you know has further information regarding John Stevens. Please contact us at 484-875-6022.”
The allegations in the complaint are the following:
On April 10, 2023, West Whiteland Township Police Department was dispatched to a residence in West Chester, West Whiteland Township, Chester County, for the report of child sexual abuse. The reporting party stated that the defendant, John Stevens, sexually assaulted four child victims at the residence between March 31, 2023-April 2, 2023. The abuse occurred when the defendant had a duty of care for these children.
Investigators learned that child victims #1 and #2 were both girls and 5 years old at the time of the abuse. During forensic interviews conducted on April 20, 2023, victim #1 disclosed that the defendant touched her private parts on at least three occasions over the course of three days using his fingers. Victim #1 also said that the defendant touched her buttocks and chest on two separate occasions. She told detectives that the defendant said if she told anyone that he would kill her.
On April 27, 2023, child victim #2 reported that when she was 5 years old and visiting the residence in West Whiteland Township, the defendant had her retrieve a bottle of lotion. He then made her use the lotion to masturbate him. She stated that on multiple occasions the defendant would make her sit on his lap without pants on and rub his thigh against her private parts. She also reported that he tried to teach her how to masturbate.
Child victim #2 stated that the defendant and another unknown adult male on one occasion positioned her in a “spooning” position in a living room at the same residence with a 13-year-old and left them alone to “party.” During this time, the 13-year-old male pulled down the pants of the victim and forcibly penetrated her genitals repeatedly.
Child victim #3, who was a 7-year-old boy, told investigators that the defendant touched him when he showered on approximately nine separate occasions and cleaned his front and back. Victim #3 also informed investigators that while the defendant would wash the victim, Stevens would take his shirt off and often get into the victim’s bed with him following the shower.
Child victim #3 also informed investigators that the defendant had multiple guns, including a real one and BB guns, which were all located in the defendant’s room.
On April 28, 2023, child victim #4, told investigators that when he was approximately 6-8 years old, the defendant “spooned” the victim on a couch and masturbated against the victim.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for later today, May 11, 2023, before Magisterial District Judge John Bailey. West Whiteland Township Police Department is investigating. ADA Zachary Yurick is the assigned prosecutor.
If you have information call Detective Michael Buchmann at 484-875-6022.
Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest is not a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Call Childline at 1-800-932-0313 if you suspect a child is being abused.
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