EASTON, Pa. — A former Bethlehem Schools resource officer and soccer coach has lost in an attempt to withdraw his plea to charges of having sex with a 14-year-old middle school student, authorities said.
Costas Alesta's motion to withdraw his guilty plea filed was denied by county judge Judge Samuel P. Murray in a one-page order filed Friday, Nov. 7, county District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta said.
Alestas now will appear before Judge Murray for sentencing. He faces 11 to 21 years in prison and will have to register as a Megan's Law sex offender for the rest of his life, according to the release.Northampton County District Attorney's Office release
Alestas, 43, of Palmer Township, on April 23, 2025, before Murray entered a guilty plea.
Alestas now will appear before Judge Murray for sentencing.
He faces 11 to 21 years in prison and will have to register as a Megan's Law sex offender for the rest of his life, according to the release.
Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott said last May that Alestas was fired following an internal investigation. A 17-year veteran of the force, he was East Hills' school resource officer for six years and had an exemplary record, she said.
In May 2024, Bethlehem Police uncovered allegations that Alestas committed sexual offenses upon a minor female victim under his protection as School Resource Officer for East Hills Middle School.
Details of the offenses
Police said Alestas committed sex acts with the girl in the boys’ locker room during a school dance while he was working and in uniform.
He also allegedly took an “upskirt type video” of an 11-year-old on the same date.
Police said Alestas later committed other acts in his Jeep with the 14-year-old victim in the parking lot of Green Pond Country Club in Bethlehem Township, on April 11; and in his Nissan at the William Penn Park and Ride in the township.
An analysis of Alestas’ phone showed about 4,980 messages exchanged with the 14-year-old, and 49 phone calls, according to a police affidavit.
They would have secret meetings and conversations in Alestas’ school office in which Alestas kissed and touched her with her clothes on, according to the affidavit.
Police said that evolved into the child undressing in the office and Alestas viewing her naked body.
Police said an investigation confirmed that Alestas committed offenses. Police also recovered evidence confirming the “upskirt” video.
Alestas was charged with several sexual 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.
Alestas later sought to withdraw his plea, but the district attorney's office opposed his motion.
Police said at the time they were investigating whether there were other victims, but made no reference to that since.
