Former Cumberland County school security officer charged with indecent assault of minor
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PA May 31 2020— A Cumberland County man, viewed as a role model for young kids for several years, is accused of attempting to sexually assault a teenager.
According to investigators, 39-year-old Shawn Harrison, a former Sheriff’s Deputy and security officer with Cumberland Valley and Carlisle Area School Districts, is charged with incident assault of a 13-year-old boy.
“There’s some allegations here and they are simply allegations at this point that there was an attempt to take photographs of a minors genitals,” Cumberland County District Attorney Skip Ebert said.
The victim told police the alleged incidents happened twice, according to investigators.
The first incident allegedly happened while the boy slept in Harrison’s bed; the second in early March after the boy fell asleep on Harrison’s couch.
The boy alleges he awoke to find Harrison touching him inappropriately while taking pictures.
“The proclivity to want to be with a child sexually is just unexplainable to me,” Ebert said.
Harrison worked as a Cumberland County Sheriff’s Deputy for several years.
Ebert’s known him for more than two decades and decided to turn the case over the Office of the Attorney General.
“I believe it presents a conflict of interest. I believe all the judges here knew him too, so they’ll probably recuse themselves also,” Ebert said.
Investigators say in addition to working as a security officer, Harrison also worked as a D.A.R.E. officer in Big Springs School District, and was involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“When this started to leak out this morning, I’ve already gotten a call from one young man who reported some incidents that are now being put on the investigation,” Ebert said.
Ebert says anyone who believes they may be a victim to come forward and contact the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office.
Harrison is free on bail and is due back in court in early June.
Any persons with information regarding this investigation or having knowledge of similar incidents should contact the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H, Carlisle Station, and ask for Tpr. FACKLER at 717-249-2121.
