Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta has announces that Costas Alestas, a former Bethlehem City Police Officer, has been sentenced to 10-20 years in state prison after pleading guilty to the charges of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse and Invasion of Privacy.

On May 1, 2024, the Bethlehem City Police Department was notified of allegations concerning an inappropriate relationship between Officer Alestas and a female student at East Hills MS At the time, Alestas was serving as a School Resource Officer (SRO) employed by Bethlehem Police.

Following the report, school officials and law enforcement took prompt action. The Bethlehem Police were notified immediately, and Officer Alestas was placed on administrative leave. Alestas surrendered his cell phone to police, and a thorough investigation revealed that he had engaged in an inappropriate ongoing relationship with the female student. Additionally, police recovered evidence that Alestas recorded an “upskirt” video of another student without her knowledge.

As a result, Alestas was charged with several offenses, including Statutory Sexual Assault, Institutional Sexual Assault, Aggravated Indecent Assault, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Criminal Use of a Communications Facility, and Invasion of Privacy.

On April 23, 2025, Alestas entered a guilty plea in front of the Honorable Judge Samuel P. Murray to the charges of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Assault against a person less than 16 years old, a felony in the first degree, and Invasion of Privacy, a third-degree misdemeanor.

On Dec. 22, 2025, Alestas was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in state prison, followed by three years of probation to be run consecutively, for the charge of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, and one year of probation to be run concurrently for the charge of Invasion of Privacy. During the sentencing, Judge Murray found Alestas to be a Sexually Violent Predator. This will require Alestas to be registered as a Sexually Violent Predator and registered under Megan’s Law for the rest of his life.

All further inquiries should be directed to the Northampton County Office of the District Attorney.