Sexual Assault Task Force

To serve and protect the interests of the People of Lawrence County it is necessary to constitute an organization of trained law enforcement officers with multi-jurisdictional authority dedicated to effectively and efficiently investigate and prosecute sexual assaults, sexual abuse and other sex crimes. In furtherance of this mission a Sexual Assault / Child Abuse Task Force (SATF) has been created by District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa with the stated goals of training local law enforcement officers in case preparation and investigation, witness and victim interviewing methodology and suspect questioning techniques. Additionally , law enforcement efforts will be coordinated on a countywide basis to effectively investigate and prosecute all sex crimes occurring within Lawrence county.

The Lawrence County District Attorney’s Sexual Assault / Child Abuse Task Force (SATF) enhances the ability of local law enforcement agencies to investigate and successfully prosecute cases of adult and child sexual assault and serious physical child abuse in Lawrence County. The SATF is comprised of designated law enforcement officers from the largest five municipalities in Lawrence County, as well as Pennsylvania State Police, Adult Probation, and District Attorney Criminal Investigation Division Detectives. The Director of the Lawrence County District Attorney Criminal Investigation Division serves as administrator of all SATF operations.

The SATF acts as both a primary investigating law enforcement agency, as well as a supportive investigating agency for any department handling a child abuse or sexual assault case within Lawrence County. SATF officers and detectives are available to assist in any sex crime or child abuse investigation upon request to the District Attorney’s Office.
SATF Officers and Detectives are provided specialized training in the area of sexual assault investigations, child abuse investigations and investigative methodology and protocol related to these types of case. SATF Officers and Detectives have directly handled and/or provided assistance in over 200 cases of sexual assault and child abuse since the inception of the task force.

The SATF also transmits reports of suspected child Abuse to law enforcement agencies for investigation and actively monitors the status of investigations concerning child abuse and sexual assault throughout the County to ensure that all cases are properly and timely investigated. The SATF also provides technical and manpower assistance to local law enforcement agencies upon request to assist in their investigations.

The SATF actively monitors Megan’s Law registrant compliance and conducts routine and periodic checks of registered sex offenders to ensure compliance. SATF Officers and Detectives routinely filing charges against sex offenders who are in violation of their reporting requirements under Megan’s Law.