May 08--Authorities from the Lackawanna County District Attorney's office and the state police executed a search warrant at the Old Forge Police Department on Monday seeking records.
Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola said this morning that the investigators secured a sealed search warrant for records at the police department but was unsure if the search extended to the rest of the borough building.
The search was the latest episode in a probe that began Wednesday, when a 23-year-old woman reported to the district attorney's office that she had been sexually assaulted by Old Forge police Capt. Jamie Krenitsky and former volunteer borough firefighter Walter Chiavacci between 2004 and 2005.
The victim was 15-years-old at the time of the alleged assaults.
The Times-Tribune does not identify the victims of sexual assault.
On Thursday, Capt. Krenitsky and Mr. Chiavacci were each arrested and charged by state police for the alleged sexual abuse. Capt. Krenitsky later posted $25,000 bond after spending several hours in the Lackawanna County Prison. Mr. Chiavacci was released on unsecured bail after his arrest.
Capt. Krenitsky was suspended without pay upon his arrest while borough Police Chief Larry Semenza was placed on administrative leave with pay by Mayor Michele Avvisato.
Ms. Avvisato has said she was informed by the district attorney's office that Chief Semenza -- who has not been charged -- was the subject of an investigation. Ms. Avvisato and Officer Kim Buggey, who was named officer-in-charge in Chief Semenza's absence, have said they were not provided with any details of the investigation's focus.
Mr. Jarbola has repeatedly declined to elaborate on those details.
On Monday, Mr. Jarbola confirmed that the FBI had become a part of the investigation in Old Forge but declined to specify its role.
Mr. Jarbola said this morning he was not aware if FBI agents were involved in the search Monday.
When asked if the investigation in Old Forge had gone beyond the sexual assault, Mr. Jarbola declined to comment.
In an interview with investigators, the victim said that she and Capt. Krenitsky engaged in oral sex with each other in the bunkroom of the borough's volunteer fire department while the officer was on-duty over the course of six months in 2005.
She accused Mr. Chiavacci of reaching beneath her underwear and touching her inappropriately after taking a walk during a party in the summer of 2004.
Mr. Jarbola has said that the ongoing investigation may result in additional arrests. He has declined to comment on whether or not any additional suspects are also members of the borough police or fire departments.
Mr. Jarbola has also said additional victims may exist and has encouraged them to come forward to state police by calling 963-3156.
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Copyright 2012 - The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
