By Laura French
PALMERTON, Pa. — A Pennsylvania EMS supervisor has been charged with sexually assaulting and extorting an EMT he supervised.
Authorities filed two cases with separate charges against Gerard Joseph Alfano, 32, an EMT supervisor for Palmerton Community Ambulance, according to the Times News.
In the first case, he is charged with sexual extortion, criminal attempt to commit sexual extortion, harassment and criminal use of a communication facility. The sexual extortion charge was upgraded to a 3rd-degree felony due to Alfano’s supervisory role over the EMT. In the second case, Alfano is charged with indecent assault and harassment.
The first case involves text messages sent to the EMT on March 14, according to Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Leo Petrucci, the investigating officer. Alfano allegedly told the EMT she should provide sexual favors in return for a positive reference he had given to the EMT’s mortgage company. He also allegedly offered the victim “bonus cash,” according to Petrucci.
The second case involves an incident that the EMT told police occurred during a bus trip in July 2018. The EMT told investigators that Alfano put his hands into her shorts twice during the bus ride and touched her inappropriately without her consent.
The allegations came to light while state police were conducting a background check on Alfano after he applied for a job with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Alfano’s bail was set at $7,500 in the first case and $2,500 in the second case. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on May 19.