The charges involve four victims — who now are 15 years to 17 years old — under whom he had authority as their training instructor. An arrest warrant was filed for Monroe after he had agreed on April 18 to surrender to authorities and failed to do so.
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“This was an interesting investigation from the start because we had the suspect come to us to share some information about some incidents he had been involved in over a number of years,” said Sgt. Joe Tedeschi, of the Springfield Police Division.
Monroe showed up at the Springfield Police Division earlier this month and allegedly confessed to assaulting the teens over the last several years, with the latest incident occurring last month.
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“Monroe was very tearful,” Detective Sandra Fent wrote in a police affidavit.
The alleged abuse began when Monroe was also a teenager, according to court records, and reportedly continued for several years. The affidavit says Monroe turned himself into police on April 5, but investigators couldn’t arrest him until they also interviewed the victims.
Monroe resigned from his position at the fire department by sending an email to the fire chief on April 6, Springfield Twp. Trustee Tim Foley said.
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“I do not know why he chose to come to us at that time and share with us some of these events he’d been involved in,” Tedeschi said.
Foley said Monroe no longer has any connection with the fire department. He also said the cadet program is under review.
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Victims of sexual abuse should know help is available, Tedeschi said.
“There’s many services available for folks who find themselves in these types of situations,” Tedeschi said. “For adults as well as juveniles.”
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