Lansford Police are investigating a Panther Valley School District employee regarding his recent interactions outside of school with an amateur group that targets potential child predators.
On Saturday, the group 814 Pred Hunters posted a video of one of its representatives meeting with the suspect in the parking lot of a mini-mart on West Patterson Street in Lansford. The group alleged that the suspect came there to meet a 15-year-old girl, and had indicated in text messages that he wanted to take her back to his home.
The group’s representative said that they had proof of those conversations that they would turn over to law enforcement.
During that meeting, a borough police officer is shown arriving, seizing the suspect’s cellphone, and instructing him to come to the station for questioning, which the suspect did voluntarily, said Sgt. Shawn Nunemacher.
The investigation continues, but, like all cases involving social media interactions, is complicated and will take time, he said.
On Monday, the department was in the process of seeking warrants related to potential evidence in the case, he said.
The suspect, who has not been charged by police, worked in Panther Valley’s Cafeteria and SHINE (Schools and Homes in Education) program, but has since been reassigned so that he is not dealing with students, Superintendent Dave McAndrew said in a statement released by the district.
Panther Valley encompasses Lansford, Summit Hill, and Nesquehoning in Carbon County, and Coaldale in Schuylkill County.
It is unclear how long the suspect worked for the school district, and Panther Valley officials were not available for comment Monday.
“We are aware of a video circulating on social media involving an individual employed within our Cafeteria and SHINE program,” McAndrew said in the district’s statement.
“The allegations in the video are extremely concerning. Upon becoming aware of the matter, we immediately began working with local law enforcement and appropriate authorities to gather information and ensure that necessary procedures are followed.
“The employee is no longer assigned to duties involving students while this matter is being reviewed.
“Because this is an active matter involving an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further at this time. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority, and we will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement.
“We appreciate the community’s patience as this process moves forward.”
The SHINE program is a K-8 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEAM) after-school initiative, according to online reports. In the Panther Valley area, it is administered to provide homework and instruction in STEAM, along with hot meals.
In the 814 Pred Hunters video that has spread online, the suspect is seen repeatedly refuting accusations that he engaged in sexual conversations with whom he thought was a 15-year-old girl, or that he had agreed to meet with her for sexual purposes.
The group alleged, though, that for three months the suspect had communicated online with one of their decoys posing as the girl, and had tried on numerous occasions to meet up with her.
Nunemacher said that the group had contacted Lansford Police and the Carbon County District Attorney’s office earlier in the week to inform them of their interactions with the suspect, and called them again Saturday so an officer could be present during the meeting at the mini-mart.
This was the department’s first time dealing with an amateur predator hunter organization, he said.
The group did not break the law in interacting with the suspect, he said, but the department said it would have preferred it if they brought police into the case from the beginning, instead of having officers investigate retroactively.