Former school band volunteer charged with sexually assaulting 2 teens

A former Norristown schools marching band technician has been arrested and charged with statutory rape and related offenses in connection with two sexual assaults that allegedly took place two years ago, Montgomery County officials said Wednesday.

The suspect was identified by police as Steven M. Fitzgerald, 24, of Pennsauken, N.J. He was taken into custody Tuesday and ordered held at the Montgomery County prison when he could not post $100,000 cash bail, according to court records.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and West Norriton Police Chief Robert P. Adams said that in 2010 Fitzgerald served as a volunteer band technician, supporting the Norristown Area High School Marching Band.

During that time, he texted and chatted on Facebook with a 15-year-old female band member, they said. The communication involved setting up a sexual relationship with the girl.

In May of 2010, Ferman and Adams said, Fitzgerald arranged to meet the victim after school. He picked up the victim and her 15-year-old friend in his car and drove to an abandoned parking lot where he sexually assaulted the girl. Fitzgerald then drove his car to another location where he sexually assaulted the girl's friend, the officials said.

The case came to light when Fitzgerald communicated with both victims the week of May 14 in an attempt to meet them for more sex, but police intervened.

Fitzgerald is charged with statutory rape, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, sexual assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors, according to court records.

Fitzgerald was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Karen Eisner Zucker. A preliminary hearing is set for June 7 at 10:15 a.m. before District Judge Ester J. Casillo.

Contact Bonnie L. Cook at 610-313-8232 or bcook@phillynews.com. Read her blog MontCo Memo at www.philly.com.