Pennridge School District has dismissed volunteer football coach Michael Feifel following his arrest in a human trafficking investigation.
Multiple media reports indicate that Feifel was snared when he allegedly responded to ads posted by investigators on popular sex websites. He reportedly negotiated prices for specific sex acts and arranged a meeting with what he thought was a teenage girl but was actually an undercover police officer. He was reportedly arrested when he arrived.
According to a Monday statement from Pennridge’s administrative team, Feifel did present the district with up-to-date clearances prior to volunteering.
“Since the district was made aware of Mr. Feifel’s arrest and the investigation, he was immediately relieved of all volunteer coaching responsibilities and any contact with children in the Pennridge School District,” read the statement.
The message, which was sent to families and community members, stressed that Feifel was not a teacher in the district, though he was for a district in the Carbon County area.
That district is Lehighton Area SD, where he is listed as a World Studies, Economics and Contemporary American History teacher.
Its superintendent — Christina E. Fish — has issued a statement saying Feifel was arrested as the result of a human sex trafficking joint investigation of Berks, Northampton and Lehigh counties.
“Mr. Feifel is currently not involved in any coaching or teaching over the summer break, and the district will be assessing his employment status prior to the commencement of the teacher work year in September,” Fish said.
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