Paramedic in Chesco to be tried in sex case

A Chester County paramedic was ordered held for trial yesterday on multiple sex and corruption charges stemming from his contact with eight boys he met through his work for the Uwchlan Ambulance Corps, Brandywine Hospital, and the Parkesburg Fire Company.

Timothy Brian Kauffman, 39, of Downingtown, faces charges that include rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, endangering the welfare of children, and furnishing liquor to minors. The crimes began in 1998 and continued through December, according to a grand jury report.

All eight of the victims testified yesterday about their relationship with Kauffman, but two deviated from the account they gave to police earlier. One boy denied telling investigators that Kauffman sexually assaulted him, and another said he remembered talking to a detective but now has no memory of the sexual activity he described.

In response, Assistant District Attorney Megan Kampf introduced the boys' signed police statements into evidence. Defense attorney G. Guy Smith argued that some of the charges should be dismissed because the boys changed their story.

After the hearing, he called Magisterial District Judge Rita Arnold's failure to do that "frightening." The judge scheduled Kauffman's formal arraignment for May 31.