UPDATE, March 15, 2019: Three men, including the vice president of Port Carbon Borough Council, were arrested March 14 on charges related to this case. For that story, READ THIS.
***
A well-known music teacher at Nativity BVM High School in Pottsville is in Schuylkill County Prison tonight on child sex charges.
According to information received by Coal Region Canary, Dale Schimpf, 71 of Frackville, was arrested on Monday by members of Tamaqua Police Department.
Schimpf was taken before Magesterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer in Tamaqua. He was arraigned on charges of:
- Statutory Sexual Assault * FELONY 1 *
- IDSI Forcible Compulsion * FELONY 1 *
- IDSI Person Less Than 16 Years of Age * FELONY 1 *
- Criminal Solicitation – IDSI Person Less Than 16 Years of Age * FELONY 1 *
- Corruption of Minors * FELONY 3 *
- Indecent Exposure * MISDEMEANOR 1 *
- Indecent Assault – Person Less Than 16 Years of Age * MISDEMEANOR 1 *
He was unable to post $100,000 cash bail and sent to the county prison.
Schimpf Arrested On the Job
Schimpf was taken into custody on the Nativity BVM High School campus Monday morning, according to reporting from The Times-News.
Tamaqua Police were responding to a complaint against Schimpf they received on Saturday night. Thomas C. Rodgers of Tamaqua PD made the arrest.
That’s when Tamaqua Police were informed that Schimpf allegedly had inappropriate contact with a minor. In this case, the mother of the alleged victim says Schimpf had sex with her 13-year-old son the night prior.
The two allegedly met on the gay dating app, Grindr.
Schimpf says he was led to believe the 13-year-old was really 30.
Prior to the alleged rape of this minor, Schimpf and the victim shared messages and photos online. Schimpf picked up the minor in his vehicle. They went to dinner and then back to Schimpf’s home to have sex.
At no point during this time, apparently, did it dawn on Schimpf that this person may not be 30. Thirteen going on 30 is just something people say. It has zero basis in reality.
Schimpf Well-Known in the Community
This arrest is sure to shock some in the Schuylkill County community.
Nativity placed him on suspension on the heels of the arrest. Parents were informed that he was arrested and suspended on Tuesday.
At the private Catholic school in Pottsville, he served as music teacher and band director.
On his Facebook profile, Schimpf lists himself as Music Teacher at:
- St. Ambrose in Schuylkill Haven,
- Trinity Academy at the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center in Shenandoah,
- All Saints in Pottsville, and
- St. Stephen’s school in Port Carbon
Schimpf previously worked at Cardinal Brennan High School when it was open. And he was a music teacher at North Schuylkill School District.
He is also Associate Conductor of Cressona Band.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...
Sandy Grady
February 27, 2019 at 12:11 pm
More and more of this is happening and it’s disgusting. Something has got 2 b done about these horrible acts against our kids. Lock them up and throw away the key. That’s my solution 2 the problem.
Don
February 28, 2019 at 4:05 pm
sick very sick and a total shame really for the area. But a Music teacher since 1969 in the skook mostly at the Elementary level that is the disturbing part!