Hearing Today for Cranberry EMS Director Accused of Raping 19-Year-Old

After two postponements, the suspended executive director of Cranberry Township's ambulance service will face a preliminary hearing today on charges that he raped an unconscious 19-year-old.

Steve Frank Tedesco Jr., 30, of Cranberry, is scheduled to appear at 11 a.m. before District Judge David Kovach in Cranberry.

He is man who fell asleep at a Evans City house party in March. Tedesco also is charged with providing the 19-year-old and two others with alcohol.

An April 1 hearing was rescheduled after Tedesco’s attorney, Michael Zunder, requested a continuance. A second preliminary hearing was delayed April 29 at the request of the Butler County District Attorney’s office.

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

According to court documents, Tedesco performed oral sex on the sleeping 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.  

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.

Check back with Cranberry Patch for coverage of the hearing.