Former Bucks County police officer accused of sexual abuse while working as D.A.R.E officer
DOYLESTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A former Bucks County police officer is facing charges after authorities say he sexually abused four teens while he worked as a D.A.R.E officer, officials said.
Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub announced the charges Wednesday against former Warminster Township Police Officer James Carey, 52.
According to an 80-page grand jury presentment, Carey is facing 122 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and other related charges.
According to authorities, the alleged incidents happened between 1987 to 2009 while Carey was working at elementary, middle and high schools in the Centennial School District.
"A police officer's creed is to protect and serve his community," Weintraub said. "In a perverse and criminal dereliction of his duty, James Carey instead took advantage of his power and credibility while on the job as a police officer to sexually abuse our community's most vulnerable: our children."
The presentment says the alleged incidents happened inside Carey's home, in his hot tub and recreation center bathrooms while in police uniform. Officials are worried there may be additional victims.
"He was a wolf in sheep's clothing, preying on those who trusted him," Weintraub said.
Prosecutors say Carey had a co-molester, Chuck Goodenough, who recently died by suicide. The pair volunteered with the Boy Scouts and the Warminster department's fire explorer program.
But this was not the first time Carey had been investigated, officials said.
In 2001, a then 17-year-old reported Carey to the Warminster Township police department, but lack of evidence and the fact that the age of consent was 16 resulted in no charges.
The DA at the time did release a scathing letter to the department calling Carey a danger to the community.
His arrest Wednesday follows a lengthy investigation by Bucks County Detectives and an inquiry by a Bucks County Investigating Grand Jury.
Carey was jailed under a $100,000 bond but has since posted bail, which was set at 10% of $100,000.
Carey's attorney claims he's innocent.
