Former School Resource Officer Convicted of Student Sexual Abuse
The conviction of a former school resource officer in Lackawanna County has brought a measure of justice to the victims who endured years of abuse. Stephen J. Carroll, 50, who was affiliated with West Scranton High School, faced 29 charges related to the sexual abuse of students.
Carroll’s offenses took place during the late 2000s and early 2010s. According to prosecutors, he invited some of the victims to his home, providing them with alcohol, where the abuse occurred. On at least one occasion, the misconduct took place at the school while Carroll was in his police uniform.
As the jury delivered its verdict, Carroll experienced a medical emergency and is currently receiving medical attention, as stated by his attorney, Jason Shrive.
“We are obviously disappointed in the jury’s verdict, but we respect it and our system of justice. We put on the best defense case we could for our client,” Shrive expressed. “Stephen Carroll maintains his innocence and vows to appeal his conviction. We will be analyzing all avenues and issues for appeal in the coming weeks.”
In 2024, following a presentment by the 52nd Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Robert McGrath, from the PSP’s Organized Crime Unit, initiated the charges against Carroll.
Attorney General Dave Sunday commented in a press release, “This verdict is not about the predator who committed these heinous acts, but the survivors of this abuse — who, for years, lived knowing that their abuser was free in the community.” He acknowledged the challenges posed by the passage of time in court proceedings, but praised the jury’s diligence: “Given this, we are very pleased that the jurors paid close attention to the facts in this case.”
After a trial lasting four days, the jury found Carroll guilty of rape along with 28 other charges, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and statutory sexual assault. Carroll’s bail has been revoked, and he awaits sentencing at a future date.
