FF Indicted on Rape of Minor at NY Fire Station

May 28—TROY — An Albany firefighter has been indicted by a Rensselaer County grand jury for allegedly raping a minor on New Year's Eve 2021 at the East Greenbush headquarters of a town rescue squad where he also worked, according to the indictment.

The Rensselaer County District Attorney's Office issued a statement Friday that Jevonte Osterhout, 30, of Albany, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of raping and abusing a person less than 17 years old. The sealed four-count indictment was opened Wednesday.

Osterhout allegedly committed the crimes on Dec. 31, 2021, at 1116 Red Mill Road, East Greenbush, the base of operations for the W.F. Bruen Rescue Squad, according to the indictment.

Osterhout was a firefighter/emergency medical technician for the Albany Fire Department and an emergency medical technician for the Bruen Rescue Squad at the time of the alleged incident. He has worked as a city firefighter since March 2021 and with the rescue squad in East Greenbush since December 2018.

The case was investigated by the East Greenbush Police Department.

"The East Greenbush Police believe this is an isolated incident but are asking anyone who may have information relevant to this investigation to please contact the East Greenbush Police detective's unit," East Greenbush Detective Sergeant Michael Guadagnino said. He also thanked the START Center for its assistance with the investigation. The Rensselaer County nonprofit advocates on behalf of child victims of abuse.

The Albany firefighters union issued a statement about Osterhout's status Friday.

"Today we learned that serious and disturbing allegations have been reviewed by a grand jury in Rensselaer County and filed against Jevonte Osterhout," the Albany Permanent Professional Fire Fighters Association said in the statement.

"According to a news release issued by the Rensselaer County District Attorney's office, the alleged actions took place separately and apart from any duties as an Albany firefighter."

Osterhout has been removed from the active duty roster and placed on administrative leave "in keeping with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement," the statement said.

The grand jury indicted Osterhout on felony charges of first-degree rape, third-degree rape and first-degree sexual abuse. Osterhout also was indicted on a single misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Assistant District Attorney Antonia Edwards is prosecuting the case. The Times Union could not determine Friday afternoon who is representing Osterhout.

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