Local Government TV

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Former NorCo Probation Officer Charged With Official Oppression

A former Northampton County Juvenile Probation Officer is himself now a criminal Defendant after trying to get just a little too close to one of his clients. Ryan Christopher Wasser, age 32, has been accused of both official oppression and obstruction as a result of inappropriate contacts he had with a female client who had just turned 18.

The charges themselves are second degree misdemeanors, which carry a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment and $5,000 fine. Instead of being arrested, Wasser will be notified of the police complaint filed by Detective Paul Hulbert by summons. But because these charges concern a public official, District Attorney John Morganelli is taking this matter seriously. "In our view, this kind of conduct is unacceptable," he declared.

Wasser was assigned to supervise probation for a female client who was still a minor. He began to send her inappropriate text messages, but took it to another level when she turned 18. he began sending naked pictures of himself and demanded that she reciprocate. he called every evening at 8:30 pm and later, and wanted to know what she was wearing. Eventually, the conversations became sexual in nature. He expressed reservations about her boyfriend, and threatened to have her imprisoned for a parole violation unless she began sending naked pictures of herself as well. She complied out of fear of imprisonment. She also felt compelled to purchase coffee and gas for Wasser.

The victim reported what was happening in January, and Detective Hulbert began an immediate investigation. He was able to find text messages and pictures that were exchanged, corroborating what he had been told.

President Judge Stephen Baratta, who was made aware of the investigation at its inception, suspended Wasser from his $45,571 job. Not long after that, Wasser resigned from a position that he had held for eight years. He also stepped down as the wrestling coach at Notre Dame Green Pond High School. Just one month later, Wasser began work as a sales consultant with Automated Data Processing, where he was employed at the time charges were filed. He is a 2006 graduate of Kutztown University, where he earned a degree in psychology. He was also awarded a Master's Degree there in 2012 for School Counseling and Guidance Services.

Wasser resides in Bushkill Township, according to the criminal complaint filed. But real estate records reveal he also owns a home in Easton.

According to Court Administrator Jill Cicero, there are 10 male and 11 female juvenile probation officers. She and DA John Morganelli confirmed that there is no policy under which clients and probation officers are the same sex.

18 comments:

  1. Can't help but wonder how many teenage girls have been forced into comprising situations like this to stay out of jail. Who advocates for them? Why are men even allowed to monitor young girls?

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  2. Has the young lady filed a civil suit against the county and this jerk yet?

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  3. Once again the actions of one jerk leads to the questioning of other good PO's integrity. I believe it's called one bad apple ruins the bunch theory.

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  4. same sex pos - what about the queers?

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  5. " ... there is no policy under which clients and probation officers are the same sex."

    Why is this relevant? Same sex harassment and abuse is illegal, also.

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  6. Let the med manslab replace him and double as a Colin excavator

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  7. "Why is this relevant? Same sex harassment and abuse is illegal, also.
    9:18 AM "


    I think it hihky relevant. predartory behavior is far more likely when it is opposite sex bc most people are hetero. You know this but uour political correctness won't let you admit it.

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  8. and no one knows better a "predator" than Ohare himself/ pot meet kettle

    oopsie!

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  9. Well let's all come to reality and look where the real problem lies and that's with court administration and the corrupt ways they have handled things with past emoloyees. They have forced good employees to resign over allegations without investigating details.. Everyone thought by getting rid of Jim onembo things would change but all they did was replace him with someone who is just as corrupt. Northampton county is a joke and it's karma that this happened under their watch. Like someone said earlier instead of questioning the integrity of good employees and past employees they should of actually been doing their job and monitoring a bad apple like this individual!

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  10. 12:28, afraid to sign your name? That tells us who the predator is.

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  11. 12:50, I have no regard for him Onembo. I hold him responsible for the departure of many good people. Jill Cicero worked under him, but I have a much higher regard for her. I think she is more accessible and think she has personal integrity. I won't hold her responsible for Onembo. I hold him responsible. But we are drifting afield. I don't care how careful the courts are. Things like this are inevitable because humans are fallible.

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  12. Highly ironic how Jim Onembo's name comes up in this story. The things people don't know...

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  13. Was not talking about Jill!

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  14. I see. Well, it is beyond my knowledge.

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  15. Greggy has a soft spot for child molesters maybe this creep will become his personal assistant in Feb.

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  16. Seems like these charges should rate more than a misdemeanor.

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  17. In the county seat of allentown pa this has been the norm as an institutional tool¿ The powers that be covers for one another and said actors are let go sielently to retire to Flordia lehigh cul de sac¿

    The system is broke and irrepairable at the core of the infastructure¿

    redd
    patent pending

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  18. The county has a history of ignoring tests and hisri8ng those with connections. Qualifications are not necessary in Norco.

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