Chilmark Man Charged with Child Molestation

Steven A. Schwab, vice-president of , and a homeowner in Chilmark, was arrested on Wednesday, April 18th and charged with two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14, and two counts of open and gross lewdness according to the Martha’s Vineyard Times.

The charges arise from crimes police allege occurred in Chilmark and West Tisbury. Schwab owns a home in both of those towns, but was living in Vineyard Haven at the time of his arrest. He was arraigned in Edgartown District Court on Thursday, April 19. Schwab paid bail of $5,000 and was released with conditions that “include no contact with any children under the age of 16. He must also stay away from all Island schools, report to the probation department each week, and continue with ongoing counseling,” reported the Times.

The Times also reported that, “According to police reports filed in district court this week, Mr. Schwab repeatedly exposed himself to a juvenile girl over a period of about one year and a half. Mr. Schwab relied on promises of secrecy from his victim to conceal his behavior, according to the report.”

In addition to working at Martha’s Vineyard Insurance, Schwab is a well known community member who served on the Chilmark School building committee, was the chairman of the Chilmark housing committee, and is a member of the Chilmark human resources board.

Schwab has also volunteered at the for several years in the school's rocketry club enrichment program. Though the victim did not attend the Edgartown School, principal John Stevens told the Times that he sent an email letter to teachers and the parents of students in the rocketry club telling them of the arrest and informing them that Schwab is no longer associated with the school and not permitted on any school campus on the Island

Stevens also told the Times “school counselors would be available if students have questions or concerns when they return from school vacation on Monday.”