Hearing for Cranberry EMS Director Charged with Rape Postponed for Second Time

A preliminary hearing for the suspended executive director of Cranberry Township’s ambulance service has been

Steve Frank Tedesco Jr., 30, of Cranberry, is accused of raping an unconscious 19-year-old. Tedesco was scheduled to appear at 11 a.m. today before District Judge David Kovach in Cranberry.

According to Kovach’s staff, the Butler County District Attorney’s office requested the continuence. A new preliminary hearing date has not been set.

Tedesco is at a house party last month in Evans City. He also is charged with providing that teen and two others with alcohol.

According to court documents, Tedesco performed oral sex on the teen. The youth told Evans City police that when he awoke, he pushed Tedesco away and went to the other side of the room. According to the criminal complaint, Tedesco later sent the 19-year-old several text messages apologizing for what happened and asking if they could talk.

In a phone call that police monitored, Tedesco again apologized to the teen. He also referred to the alcohol and told the teen not to tell anyone about it.   

On March 9, police arrested Tedesco after he went to the Cranberry police station to drop off an item. Officers there served him with a warrant for his arrest on behalf of Evans City police.

A professional EMT and a volunteer with the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, Tedesco, became executive director of the ambulance service after a nationwide search several years ago. He also was charged with one count each of indecent assault and indecent assault of an unconscious person.

The Cranberry Township Emergency Medical Services suspended Tedesco without pay after his arrest. The fire company also suspended him.