Old Forge police chief arrested

Old Forge Police Chief Larry Semenza has been charged with aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, indecent assault and related counts.

The police chief is in police custody at the state police barracks this evening, according to county officials. He will be arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Laura Turlip later tonight.

The counts all stem from incidents that occurred with an underage girl between November 2004 and March 30, 2007, according to a press release from officials tonight. Chief Semenza also was charged with failing to report child abuse. There were no further details on the charges immediately available.

The borough chief has been on administrative leave and was under investigation, Old Forge Mayor Michele Avvisato said last week, though she would not elaborate on why. Also last week, Old Forge police Capt. Jamie Krenitsky, 34, 19 Casey Ave., Old Forge, and former volunteer borough firefighter Walter Chiavacci, 46, 511 W. Grace St., Old Forge, were each arrested and charged by state police for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in 2005.

On Tuesday, Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola said investigators from his office and the state police seized records from the Police Department but declined to elaborate on their relevance.