A Pennsauken man allegedly sexually assaulted a member of the high-school marching band for which he was a technician, as well as one of her friends, authorities said Wednesday.
Steven Fitzgerald, 24, is charged in Pennsylvania with statutory rape, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, sexual assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors.
According to a release issued by the Montgomery County, PA District Attorney's office, Fitzgerald served as a volunteer band technician in support of the Norristown Area High School Marching Band in 2010. West Norriton detectives said they determined through an investigation that during that time, Fitzgerald texted and communicated on Facebook with a 15 year-old member of the marching band in an attempt to start a sexual relationship with her.
According to the detectives, Fitzgerald set up a time to meet with the victim after school in May 2010. Fitzgerald allegedly picked up the victim and a 15-year-old friend and drove them in his car to an abandoned parking lot. While at the parking lot, Fitzgerald is accused of sexually assaulting the first victim. Fitzgerald then allegedly drove his car to another location and sexually assaulted the second victim.
Fitzgerald allegedly communicated with both female victims last week in an attempt to meet them to engage in further sexual acts.
Fitzgerald was arraigned on Tuesday, May 22, before Magisterial District Judge Karen Eisner Zucker and bail was set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 7, at 10:15 a.m. before Magisterial Distruct Judge Ester J. Casillo. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Abidiwan-Lupo.
