Delco Cop Sexually Assaulted Women While On Duty: DA

MEDIA, PA – A Chester police officer has been hit with sexual assault-related charges after allegedly using his position as a law enforcement officer to gain sexual gratification on two instances, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan announced Thursday, Aug. 31.

Albert Dion Ross, 47, of Chester, has been charged with two counts of official oppression; two counts of harassment; and one count of indecent assault without the consent of others, as well as one count of indecent assault by forcible compulsion, according to court records.

Ross turned himself in to authorities Wednesday afternoon following an investigation was launched by Delaware County CID Special Investigations Unit detectives,the DA's office said.

The investigation came after a request for investigation from Chester Police Commissioner Otis Blair regarding an allegation that Ross had inappropriate, non-consensual sexual contact while on duty with a 46-year old female during a call for service at her residence on May 20, 2017, the DA's office said.

The victim told CID detectives that a call for service at her home, Ross placed his flashlight down the victim’s tank top, between her breasts, and stated “let me see,” referring to her breasts, the DA's office said.

Then in a separate situation, Ross allegedly placed his fingers down the pants of a 46-year-old female while on the elevator in the Chester Police Department building, according to the DA's office. That situation did not end there, the DA's office claims.

As the elevator opened on the ground floor, Ross allegedly pulled the victim back into the elevator and began kissing her when the doors closed. Ross is also accused of then pulling down the victim’s tank top, placing his mouth on her breast, and touching her other breast with his hand, the DA's office said.

“Officer Ross used his position of authority to coerce and intimidate these women into acts for his own sexual gratification,” Whelan said in the announcement. “His behavior is extremely offensive. As a police officer, he took an oath to serve and protect the residents of Chester, and for that reason we hold him to a higher standard of conduct.”

Anyone with information on these alleged crimes or believes they may have been victimized similarly is urged to contact CID Det. Robert Lythgoe at (610) 891-4243.

Detectives learned during the investigation that Ross was dismissed from the George W. Hill Correctional Facility as a Corrections Officer for sexual harassment and improper conservation with a subordinate, the DA's office said. Additionally, he was previously employed by the Chester Housing Authority Police Department and at that a female resident filed a complaint against him, alleging that he kissed her without consent, according to the DA's office.

Ross was released after judge set a $250,000 unsecured bail for Ross at his Aug. 30 preliminary arraignment, court records show.

He is slated to appear for his preliminary hearing on Sept. 13, court records show.

Imagevia Delaware County District Attorney's Office