CRIME
Steffon Rodney Christian, former Manassas teacher's aide, charged with child sexual assault
In a case that surfaced because of the scandal surrounding Penn State University, a former Manassas teacher’s aide has been arrested and charged with child sexual assault, police say.
Manassas City Police arrested Steffon Rodney Christian, 48, of 10210 Oxfordshire Drive, and charged him with four counts of forcible sodomy against a juvenile, police said.
The male victim, now an adult, reported the alleged sexual abuse after the Penn State scandal erupted.
“By virtue of this publicity, he lives in another state years later, he decided to make a call and report what had happened to him,” said Paul Ebert, the Prince William County Commonwealth's attorney.
Christian was a library assistant at Baldwin elementary school in the 1990s. The alleged sexual assaults happened at the school and at Christian’s home from 1993 to 1997, police say.
“It's just a shame that people would do this to the children and keep it a secret,” said Troy Stefko of Manassas.
Manassas school officials say Christian was hired as a kindergarten aide in 1981, then transitioned to a library assistant. He hasn't worked for Manassas schools since 1999.
Police believe there could be other victims. Anyone who may have information about this case is asked to contact the police at (703) 257-8092.
Manassas resident Susan Cicero hopes additional victims, if there are any, will find the courage to come forward.
“Because it will help other people come out and tell because I know when children get molested, they're scared to say something until they get older,” she said.
Christian is being held without bond at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center.
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