Deputies seize cache of ammunition, firearms from Sewickley Township man's mobile home

Six days before state troopers arrested a 39-year-old Sewickley Township man on rape charges, county sheriff’s deputies seized more than a dozen handguns, rifles and shotguns from his home, according to court documents.

Steven K. Stemmler, who resides in the KOA Campground on Waltz Mill Road, was arraigned Thursday on multiple criminal charges including aggravated indecent assault, rape of an unconscious victim, corruption of minors, indecent sexual assault of a person less than 16 years old and statutory sexual assault.

According to court documents, the charges were filed after a 22-year-old woman went to state police in Greensburg last month and reported that she was raped by Stemmler after the pair drank vodka together during a visit Dec. 11 at the campground.

A teenage girl also told investigators that she had sex with Stemmler “about 15 times” in recent months.

Stemmler was given 24 hours on Jan. 26 to relinquish all firearms and ammunition to the sheriff’s office, according to court documents filed in connection with an active protection from abuse order filed against him.

Sheriff’s deputies on Jan. 28 searched his mobile home after authorities received information that he still possessed a cache of weapons and ammunition. They seized three handguns, six rifles and three shotguns plus “hundreds of rounds of assorted caliber ammunition and numerous loaded firearm magazines” from his residence and 2002 Ford pickup truck parked outside.

Among the firearms seized was a loaded .45 caliber handgun Stemmler kept next to his bed, deputies reported in court papers. They also seized body armor, a Kevlar helmet and gas mask.

Stemmler is charged with failing to obey a PFA order not to possess firearms.

He is being held in the county jail on $50,000 bond. Preliminary hearings in both cases are scheduled Feb. 28.