SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) â?? A northeastern Pennsylvania firefighter has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl and agreed to testify against a police chief and officer also accused of having sexual contact with the girl.

Former Old Forge volunteer firefighter Walter Chiavacci pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault Wednesday under a deal with prosecutors that they say will help them make their case against the other defendants.

Suspended Old Forge police Chief Larry Semenza and suspended Capt. James Krenitsky are also accused of sexually assaulting the girl. Investigators say Semenza had a three-year relationship with the girl, who knew the men after becoming a junior firefighter.

Both police officers deny the allegations.

Lackawanna County prosecutors say Chiavacci's plea validates the alleged victim's allegations.


Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.