Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
A former after-school program employee accused of sexually assaulting boys is facing additional charges.
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Before District Judge Daniel Baranoski on Tuesday, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office added charges of corruption of minors, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, and indecent assault against Gerald William Spoto, 41, of Bristol Township’s Levittown section, for two additional victims.
Previously-filed charges of eight counts of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old, four counts of corruption of minors, two counts each of involuntary deviant sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16 years old, and one count of indecent assault of a person less than 16 years old were waived to the Justice Center for trial, according to court records.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Vinny Vella reported that Gail Marr, Spoto’s attorney, requested his bail be reduced from 10 percent of $1 million to a number closer to $25,000.
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Baranoski denied the move to reduce bail.
The newspaper reported prosecutors said Spoto would have access to children if released and he recently attempted to adopt a child.
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The alleged incidents occurred between 2000 and 2004, with victims aged between 7 and 13 years old at the time.
Spoto was formerly employed by the after-school program Neshaminy Kids Club and had babysat for some families in the area, according to authorities.
Spoto came into contact with the victims through his job at Neshaminy Kids Club, investigators said.
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The case has led to re-examination of the older reports that led to the identification of potential additional victims.
One victim recounted approximately 50 sexual encounters with Spoto from 2000 to 2003 when the victim was between 9 and 11 years old. Another described being assaulted by Spoto around 100 times, police said.
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The assaults often involved overpowering or intimidating the victims, with one report stating that Spoto provided alcohol and showed them pornography. Another report was that Spoto showed the minor suicide videos from the internet, police said.
One victim alleged Spoto showed a video of himself engaged in sexual activity with an underage male, police said.
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One of the victims told a detective that he had tried to repress the memories of the incidents. The victim reportedly said he had concern there were other victims.
Police suspect there are more individuals who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information related to these or similar incidents is urged to contact Detective John Beck at 215-750-3872 ext. 2215.
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