Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include a statement from the executive director of Neshaminy Kids Club.
A Bristol Township man who, nearly two decades ago, worked at after-school program Neshaminy Kids Club is facing charges that he sexually assaulted four boys he met through the job.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office reported Gerald William Spoto, 41, who now lives on Disk Lane but at the time lived in Middletown Township and worked for the club at Herbert Hoover Elementary School, is accused in the case.
In a statement on Crimewatch, the DA’s Office reported that Spoto showed the young victims pornography, gave them alcohol and sexually assaulted them. In some cases, the alleged victims’ parents had hired Spoto to babysit their children.
Investigators say they believe there may be more victims, as the alleged assaults date back to the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The DA’s office reported that Spoto’s Tuesday arrest came after Middletown Township Police “re-analyzed two inactive reports of sexual assault of juveniles filed in 2013 and 2017.” Both named Spoto.
Reopening the two cases earlier this month led to the discovery of additional victims, said authorities, who added one described being sexually assaulted by Spoto about 100 times.
Neshaminy Kids Club is not run by Neshaminy School District, but it independently provides before- and after-care for students in district schools for the parents who need it.
The Kids Club’s executive director said in a statement that Spoto left the job “more than 17 years ago.”
“No one currently at or affiliated with NKC had any knowledge or suspicion of the conduct alleged,” the statement from Kathleen Carmona read.
Carmona said the organization is “deeply disturbed and saddened” by the news and pledged to cooperate with the district and police “to see that justice is served and the victims of the alleged crimes are supported.”
She added that the allegations do not involve current students, families or staff.
Spoto was charged with eight counts of indecent assault of a person less than 13, four counts of corruption of minors, two counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a person less than 13 and aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16. He also faces one count of indecent assault of a person younger than 16.
According to the DA’s Office, Spoto was arraigned Tuesday night and taken to Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1 million bail to await a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 3.
Anyone with information about Spoto is asked to contact Middletown Township Police Detective John Beck at 215-750-3872, x2215.
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