Cop Accused of Sex Assault on Girl in Chesco

Story by Nicole Foulke

A Norristown police officer who lives in Chester county was charged with the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in North Coventry, his township of residence, according to The Mercury.

They reported that the affidavit of probable cause indicated that Chester county detectives were told Sept. 18 that someone had allegedly sexually assaulted a girl, and the report indicated that Nicholas Santo, 47, had allegedly done so on Sept. 13.

According to court documents found online, Santo had his preliminary arraignment on Sept. 18 in a Chester county magisterial district court, where his bail was set at $25,000.

He was taken to Chester County Prison on that day and was released the next day after posting bail, according to the documents.

The affidavit indicated that the victim told detectives that she had been lying on Santo’s bed at his home with her brother and the three of them had cuddled because of the cold. The girl alleged Santo touched her inappropriately. 

Santo faces charges of criminal attempt of aggravated indecent assault where the person is less than 13 years of age, indecent assault where the person is less than 13 years of age, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors where the defendant is age 18 or above, according to court documents found online.

Norristown Chief of Police Willie Richet said Santo is on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation and subsequent trial.

Richet said he was surprised when he heard about the charges against Santo.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 21 in the courtroom of magisterial district judge James V. Deangelo in Pottstown.