Fmr. Delco firefighter, charged with arson, now accused of child rape

FOLCROFT, Pa. (WPVI) -- A former volunteer firefighter from Delaware County, who was charged with arson back in August, is now being accused of raping more than one dozen children.

On Friday, authorities said John Corcoran, 20, of Glenolden, is now facing 161 charges - including rape of a child.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan called Corcoran a "sick and disturbed young man," accusing him of luring and grooming 14 victims, ranging in age from eight to 14 years old.

Investigators say he would shower them with gifts, then would rape them, molest them, and make child pornography.

Whelan said Corcoran sexually assaulted the victims repeatedly over the course of two years.

"During the filming, he instructed the boys what to do, instructed them how to pose," said Whelan.

Most of the alleged crimes happened at his home in Glenolden that he shares with his parents. Investigators say his crimes also occurred at the Ridley YMCA and the Swedish Cabin historical site in Upper Darby.

The crimes occurred from December of 2012 to December of 2014.

"He would befriend them in the neighborhood, he would meet them, possibly at the YMCA, he would meet them through different contacts of other young boys," said Whelan.

Investigators learned of the alleged sexual abuse after they busted Corcoran for a series of arsons in Delaware County last year.

Corcoran is accused of other sex crimes that occurred when he was juvenile. The District Attorney is trying to get those cases moved to adult court.

"The most disturbing thing we found today is that, we believe, there are other victims out there," Whelan said.

Neither Corcoran's parents nor the YMCA say they were aware of the crimes, Whelan said. The CEO and president of the Ridley YMCA said the Y does everything it can to prevent such acts and the Y is cooperating with investigators.

When he was arrested for arson back in August, Corcoran was a volunteer with the Goodwill Fire Department.

He was accused of setting three fires in the previous months.

Officials who knew Corcoran previously said he would hang around the fire department as a boy, saying he wanted to grow up to be a public servant.