Gateway High School’s band director faces a charge of selling or furnishing alcohol to minors. James M. Hoeltje was charged Monday. The indictment comes after Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 learned that the school district’s marching band camp was on hold. The camp was supposed to start on Monday. The superintendent sent a letter to parents informing them that police had issued an investigation into a high school employee. William Short said the school board has been contacted and the employee is now on leave. “The pause in our children’s activity is necessary to ensure a thorough and sensitive investigation,” Short said. The superintendent’s statement did not identify the employee by name. The Gateway Band Boosters also released a statement, saying the group is “aware of the information based on Dr. Short’s email. We are grateful that the district is looking out for the best interest of our children and we fully support our children and aside. We ask the media to respect our children’s privacy during this time.” According to a criminal complaint, an 18-year-old described to police several incidents involving Hoeltje that began in January. The teenager was a student at Gateway at the time. She told police that Hoeltje shared her family’s struggles with her and referred to the teenager as her best friend. During a trip to Virginia, the teenager alleges Hoeltje “molested” the girl while they were both drinking alcohol, according to the complaint. The teenager told police he stayed in touch with her after graduation. She said she was worried about a young friend who is currently in high school with Hoeltje. Hoeltje has not been charged with any sex crimes. The teenager said Hoeltje gave her his cell phone number in the summer of 2021 and they began texting and communicating via Snapchat in January. The teenager said some of the conversations were sexual in nature, according to the criminal complaint. It was on that band trip that the teenager said Hoeltje provided him with a bottle of vodka and a bottle of whiskey before he allegedly tried to kiss the teenager. As he was leaving, the complaint alleges Hoeltje grabbed the teenager’s buttocks and asked him to come back later. In May, according to the complaint, Hoeltje provided the teenager with vodka the day before the prom. Hoeltje admitted to police that the teenager was in the hotel room and said he did not stop her when she took a mini-bottle of alcohol. According to the complaint, Hoeltje said he may have accidentally touched the teenager’s bottom while grabbing the door handle. . He denied trying to kiss the teenager. Police said he acknowledged he probably crossed a line and shared too much about his personal life with her. Police also said Hoeltje admitted to buying the vodka and said it was at the teenager’s request.
MONROEVILLE, Pa. —
Gateway High School’s band director faces a charge of selling or furnishing alcohol to minors.
James M. Hoeltje was charged Monday.
The indictment comes after Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 learned that the school district’s marching band camp was on hold.
The camp was supposed to start on Monday.
The superintendent sent a letter to parents informing them that police had issued an investigation into a high school employee.
William Short said the school board has been contacted and the employee is now on leave.
“The pause in our children’s activity is necessary to ensure a thorough and sensitive investigation,” Short said. The superintendent’s statement did not identify the employee by name.
The Gateway Band Boosters also released a statement, saying the group is “aware of the information based on Dr. Short’s email. We are grateful that the district is looking out for the best interest of our children and we fully support our children and aside. We ask that the media respect our children’s privacy during this time.”
According to a criminal complaint, an 18-year-old described to police several incidents involving Hoeltje that began in January.
The teenager was a student at Gateway at the time. She told police that Hoeltje shared her family’s struggles with her and referred to the teenager as her best friend.
During a trip to Virginia, the teenager alleges Hoeltje “molested” the girl while they were both drinking alcohol, according to the complaint. The teenager told police he stayed in touch with her after graduation. She said she was worried about a young friend who is currently in high school with Hoeltje.
Hoeltje has not been charged with any sex crimes.
The teenager said Hoeltje gave her his cell phone number in the summer of 2021 and they began texting and communicating via Snapchat in January. The teenager said some of the conversations were sexual in nature, according to the criminal complaint.
It was on that band trip that the teenager said Hoeltje provided him with a bottle of vodka and a bottle of whiskey before he allegedly tried to kiss the teenager. As he was leaving, the complaint alleges Hoeltje grabbed the teenager’s buttocks and asked him to come back later.
In May, according to the complaint, Hoeltje provided the teenager with vodka the day before the dance.
Hoeltje admitted to police that the teenager was in her hotel room and said he did not stop her when she took a mini-bottle of alcohol.
According to the complaint, Hoeltje said he may have accidentally touched the teenager’s bottom while grabbing the door handle. He denied trying to kiss the teenager.
Police said he acknowledged he probably crossed a line and shared too much about his personal life with her.
Police also said Hoeltje admitted to buying the vodka and said it was at the teenager’s request.
