PLAINS TWP. — A former Coughlin High School shop teacher and alleged lookout for convicted ex-Coughlin teacher Stephen F. Stahl has been charged with corruption of minors.
Brian David Hampel, 46, of Harris Pond Road, Sweet Valley, was arraigned Monday before District Judge Joseph Spagnuolo.
According to court documents, an investigation by Luzerne County detectives revealed Hampel had inappropriate relationships with students. He allegedly visited parties held by Coughlin students at a home in Bear Creek that were held regularly on weekends.
Police said two witnesses advised them Hampel was “one of us” at the parties. Hampel allegedly brought half kegs and/or cases of beer to known party houses or parties in the woods, but would make someone else bring the alcohol into the party, police said.
The criminal complaint states that witnesses said Hampel would make out with students at the parties, including French kissing and touching of female genitalia.
When answering questions from Spagnuolo to aid the judge in determining bail, Hampel told Spagnuolo he had a previous arrest for suspicion of DUI, and that he was currently unemployed.
Hampel was fired from Coughlin on Sept. 12 after he was named as a lookout for Stahl while Stahl had sexual contact with a student at the high school. Even though he was accused as a lookout, the current charges apparently have no connection to the Stahl case.
A third person stated to detectives they reported inappropriate contact between Hampel and a student to a teacher in 2004.
School district officials investigated the allegations against Hampel and, the school board voted to terminate him. District Solicitor Ray Wendolowski has said Hampel had waived a hearing, which set up the termination vote by the board.
Unable to post $50,000 bail, Hampel was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility to await a preliminary hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. on Oct 26 before District Judge Michael Dotzel.