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Local EMT Accused Of Sexting Teen Girl

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A local EMT is accused of sexting a teenage girl.

Police say 44-year-old Thomas George is accused of sending pornographic photos of himself to a 16-year-old girl he met on an ambulance run.

Thursday at Northwest EMS in McKees Rocks, it was business as usual despite one of their EMTs being accused of sexting with a minor.

"We immediately put him on indefinite suspension from not only the ambulance service, but from the rescue operation we run as well," Northwest EMS Chief George Dudash said.

According to court papers, George gave the girl his number after she expressed interest in becoming a volunteer firefighter. The girl told police the conversations became more sexual in nature. At the end of August, nude and other sexually-graphic photos were shared and there was talk over an Internet phone messenger service about sexual positions and sexual acts.

Neighbors along Marie Street in Avalon, where George lives, were shocked by the allegations.

"It's disturbing because there's probably many kids that he's helped," one neighbor said.

Bellevue Police were contacted by someone about the explicit texts between George and the teenager. The investigation was then turned over to Allegheny County Police.

Police searched his home and confiscated his phone.

According to the complaint, George told police that he deleted the pictures. He went on to say "Things went too far, further than they should have, I realized it was wrong and I stopped communicating with her."

But, police charged with two felonies.

Chief Dudash said George always showed professionalism, making this even more of a shock.

"He's been with us for about eight years. He was a good EMT. We hadn't had any issues with his patient care. He's also a local volunteer firefighter. He's on the regional swift water team. He's on the regional HAZMAT team. He's been quite an asset to the community," Chief Dudash said.

George was released from jail on a $50,000 unsecure bond. As part of his conditions of release, he's also not allowed to use the Internet.

He has been charged with Unlawful Conduct With A Minor and Corruption of a Minor.

Stay with KDKA for much more on this developing story.

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